Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2015 9:02AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

The places you are going to find the best riding conditions in the wake of the storm are probably the same places where the danger from a layer of buried surface hoar is greatest.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

The next few storms are tracking to the south and are going to largely miss the Northwest regions. FRIDAY: flurries, light southwest wind, freezing level valley floor SATURDAY: isolated flurries, light east winds, freezing level valley floor. SUNDAY: clear, moderate northwest winds. Freezing level valley floor.

Avalanche Summary

The layer of buried surface hoar is my biggest concern. It is probably widespread and is reaching a burial depth that was associated with a rash of skier and remotely triggered avalanches in the deeper snowpack around Terrace last weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60cms of settled snow now sits upon a layer of buried surface hoar. This layer has the potential for remote triggering and wide propagations. It is likely to be lurking in most sheltered areas at tree-line although I suspect it extends well into the alpine. Variable winds are loading lee features. Below 1500m heavy rains have likely saturated the snow pack and may have formed a new rain crust.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The new snow is sitting on a buried layer of surface hoar that may be at a critical depth for human triggered avalanches.

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at tree-line and in the alpine where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Storm Slabs

Winds shifted from west to east and may have reverse loading mid slope features.

Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Use caution when traveling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2015 2:00PM