Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Dec 2, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating
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Highlights

An Incoming storm will deliver heavy snowfall to higher elevations in the region on Friday. Expect dangerous avalanche conditions if you are in an area where new snow is accumulating.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    While existing storm slabs are quickly strengthening, forecast snow and wind from an incoming storm will create a fresh storm slab avalanche problem at higher elevations.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: A storm will impact the South Coast mountains, dropping 25-40cm of new snow at higher elevations. Strong southwest winds will accompany the storm. Winds, snowfall, and a freezing level of up to 1600 metres will peak together in the late afternoon. SATURDAY: 5-10cm of new snow over the day with moderate southwest winds. Freezing level to 1000m. SUNDAY: Clearing in the morning and no new snow, winds light from the northwest, and freezing level to 700 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche observations have been reported but forecast snowfall and wind on Friday will create dangerous avalanche conditions at higher elevations in the South Coast mountains. If you have been out in the mountains, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Forecast snowfall and wind on Friday will create deep, widespread, and very touchy storm slabs as low as treeline elevation. At higher elevations, this new snow will overlie existing storm slabs which are rapidly gaining strength. Total snowpack depths are likely around 160cm at treeline and over 2 metres at higher elevations. Aside from instabilities in storm snow, warm temperatures are promoting rapid settlement and strengthening of the snowpack.

Regions covered