Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Dec 16 – 17, 2011Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Fresh wind slabs will be developing on lee and cross-loaded terrain in the alpine and at treeline.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

On saturday snow will continue with accumulations of 5-10cm, moderate southwest winds and freezing levels climbing as high as 1800m.On sunday light flurries will continue through the morning, but a clearing trend is expected for the afternoon bringing light northwest winds and freezing levels at about 1000m.On monday expect light to moderate snowfall, increased westerly alpine winds and freezing levels at valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new reports of avalanches. Fresh wind slabs are expected to form and become an avalanche problem with the forecast weather on saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Large surface hoar and faceted powder on sheltered shady slopes, and a surface crust on sun-exposed slopes, are now lightly buried in some locations and should continue to get incrementally buried over the forecast period. Assuming the structure of this current snow surface is preserved long enough for a sufficiently thick and cohesive slab to bury it, then a highly unstable situation should develop (particularly where surface hoar and/or faceted crystals are associated with a weak crust). The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong, but faceted. Check out the Forecaster's Blog link below for more general snowpack discussion and good advice.

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