Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2015 7:48AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Solar radiation and warm alpine temperatures may increase the Avalanche Danger over the next few days.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The current ridge of high pressure will bring clear skies for the forecast period. Ridgetop winds should remain light on Wednesday and Thursday, intensifying to moderate and southwesterly by Friday. An inversion should develop through the period with above-freezing alpine temperatures expected by Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

A few wind slabs up to size 1.5 were triggered by ski-cutting in the north of the region on Sunday. They occurred on a northwest aspect in alpine terrain. 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 take longer than usual to settle and gain strength. 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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Due to continued cool temperatures, recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering for longer than normal.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Temperature inversions and solar radiation forecast for the next few days will promote loose wet avalanche activity, especially on steep, sun-exposed slopes at higher elevations.

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

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2015 2:00PM