Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 13th, 2014 7:28AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Conditions are variable across the region. If you are heading to the Duffey Lake area, check the Sea-to-Sky and Whistler/Blackcomb bulletins too.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Mainly clear cool weather. Freezing levels are near 700m. Light to moderate SE winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches. Please let us know what you're seeing out there. Submit your observations by clicking on the "Avalanche Information " tab at the top of the page.

Snowpack Summary

Conditions in the Coquihalla area are quite different to the Duffey region. Reports from the Coquihalla suggest there's less than 1 m of snow in most avalanche areas. There's a small amount of recent storm snow over a relatively simple, recently rain-soaked snowpack. Around the Duffey, we have limited observations, but it's expected that wind slabs exist and that these may be overloading snowpack weaknesses formed in November (avalanches have been failing on these layers in the Whistler area). Below treeline the snowpack is likely be thin and have a sporty surface crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be found behind terrain breaks like ridges and ribs. A slab could fail on a deeply buried weakness, creating a surprisingly large avalanche.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Dodge recently wind loaded features by sticking to ridge tops and ribs.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 14th, 2014 2:00PM