Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Dec 5, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Don't let your guard down with the sunny weather and fresh snow. Take a cautious approach towards more aggressive terrain - especially steep, wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Small wind slabs are possible in steep terrain behind ridge lines, especially in the south of the region (Coquihalla area). On steep slopes, the new snow may not bond well to the underlying crust.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Manage your sluff appropriately in steep terrain at higher elevations, particularly in the north of the region (Duffey Lake zone).

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

We'll have fine weather for the foreseeable future. Significant warming begins Tuesday afternoon.Tuesday: Mainly sunny and becoming warm up high. Freezing levels rising to 2000 m. Light northerly winds.Wednesday: Sunny and warm. Light northerly winds. Freezing levels 3000m. Alpine high temperatures to +2 Celsius.Thursday: Sunny and warm. Freezing levels around 3100 m. Light northwesterly winds. Alpine high temperatures to +3 Celsius.

Avalanche Summary

Little activity has been reported lately, although there are not many observers out there right now. In southern sections (Coquihalla), lingering small wind slabs are the primary concern. In the north of the region (Duffey Lake zone), small (Size 1), dry loose avalanches have been reported in steep terrain at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 30-50 cm of snow from last week sits on top of a rain crust that formed during the wet weather in late November. The crust is reported to be thick (15 cm) below treeline and thin (2 cm) in the alpine. Southerly winds have blown snow around in exposed areas creating drifts and scoured areas. Stubborn wind slabs have formed near ridge crests and lee features.Tree line snow depths are approximately 110 cm throughout the region.

Regions covered