Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Dec 29 – 30, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

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

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Due to continued cool temperatures, recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering for longer than normal.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    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.

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.

Regions covered