Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 30th, 2014 8:58AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Confidence is poor due to wildly variable wind slabs and a forecasted Above Freezing Layer that suggests we may not get a refreeze between 1500m and 2800m until Thursday morning.

Summary

Confidence

Poor

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: Arctic air is now dominant over all of coastal BC. Warmer air riding up and over the arctic air has created an above freezing layer that should stick around through Thursday morning. Looks like a significant storm will make landfall Thursday night continuing into Friday.Wednesday: Freezing Level: Valley Bottom, potential AFL 1000 to 2500m; Precipitation: Nil; Wind: Treeline: Moderate, NW | Ridgetop: Strong, NW.Thursday: Freezing Level: 800m, Precipitation: trace; Wind: Treeline: Moderate W/SW | Ridgetop: Extreme, SW.Thursday Night: Precipitation: 10 to 25mm | 10 to 30cm.Friday: Freezing Level: 800m; Precipitation: 5 to15mm | 5 to 20cm; Wind: Treeline: Strong, SW | Ridgetop: Extreme, W

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday wind and storm slabs to size 2.5 ran on NW, SW and SE facing aspects between 1500 and 2000m

Snowpack Summary

Strong outflow winds on Dec. 28 left a variety of wind affected conditions in their wake in wind exposed terrain at all elevations. You will likely find wind pressed snow on north aspects, thicker wind slabs on south facing features and some degree of crossloading on everything else.The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled. Several old crust layers exist but these appear to be well bonded.Look for a revised snowpack discussion on Wednesday.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Outflow winds left the biggest wind slabs on south facing features, but slabs of varying thickness/hardness will likely be found on all wind exposed slopes.

Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Seek out wind sheltered terrain for the next few days until wind loaded slopes have had a chance to stabilize.>Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard wind slabs.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 31st, 2014 2:00PM