Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2015–Jan 1st, 2016

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

Happy New Year! Warm air and sun may create some touchy pockets of wind slab in the short term. Avalanche danger trending down for the weekend.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Clear skies and light winds throughout the forecast period. Valley temperatures between -10 overnight and -5 during the day. Alpine temperatures between 0.0 and +5.0 on Friday, and around 0.0 or slightly below freezing on Saturday and Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. With solar radiation and warmer alpine temperatures forecast for the next few days, loose wet avalanches may occur on steep, sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

About 10-20cm of low-density snow fell between last Saturday and Monday. In exposed, high elevation terrain, moderate winds may have shifted these accumulations into soft wind slabs in the immediate lee of ridge crests. Due to continued cool temperatures, these wind slabs may have taken more time than usual to settle and gain strength. Solar radiation has also come into play, and depending on the time of day, steep solar aspects may be moist or refrozen. Recent field reports suggest deeper snowpack weaknesses have now gained considerable strength, and the mid and lower snowpack are considered to be generally strong and well-settled.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs may continue to be found in the alpine. Alpine warming may result in increased sensitivity to triggering.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

Strong solar radiation and warm alpine temperatures are expected to result in loose moist or wet avalanches.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Be alert to conditions that change with aspect, elevation and time of day.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2