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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 4th, 2019–Dec 5th, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Recent snowfall amounts are variable across the region. Storm slab avalanches are possible in steep alpine terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, light wind from the northwest, alpine temperatures between -10 and -5 C.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with light flurries starting in the evening, 40 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.

FRIDAY: Scattered flurries with 5-15 cm of snow, freezing level up to 1600 m in northern parts of the region and 1900 m in southern parts of the region, 40-60 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures near 0 C.

SATURDAY: 5-10 cm of snow with freezing level around 1400 m, 30-50 km/h wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around -1 C.

Avalanche Summary

Minimal avalanche activity has been reported over the past week. Some parts of the region may have received enough new snow over the past few days to form slabs at higher elevations. The greatest concern is in wind affected terrain and where the snow falls onto smooth surfaces (such as glaciers, rock slabs, and areas where there is already enough snow to cover rocks and trees).

Snowpack Summary

Less snow had made its way into the South Coast Inland region than areas closer to the coast. Most of the region received about 15 cm of snow over the past few days, except for higher elevation terrain around the Coquihalla that received closer to 30 cm. Even with this new snow, snowpack depths remain quite thin throughout the region. Current snowpack depths are around 50 cm at upper treeline elevations, with many rocks and trees sticking out at lower elevations. In the alpine you can find slightly deeper pockets where wind has formed hard wind slabs.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.