Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2015 7:54AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
esharp,
Avalanche Canada
Tomorrow's storm will be significantly more intense around the Coquihalla. Avalanche's may be less likely in the north of the region were less snow is forecast to fall.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
A low over Washington will bring snow, mainly to the southern half of the region on Wednesday. South of the Coquihalla summit could receive as much as 30cm through Wednesday and overnight into Thursday although forecast amounts taper off sharply to the north with only around 10cm expected for Duffy. The snowfall should slow on Thursday while Friday looks to be dry. An Artic front just inland stretches almost all the way down the coast and will keep freezing levels close to valley bottom. Winds will be light and variable Tuesday and Wednesday before becoming moderate westerlies by Friday.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity appears to have tapered off since the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Between 30 and 50 cm of new snow fell in the storm over the weekend, although this is probably closer to 15cm in the north of the region. This snow is now settling rapidly into a soft slab. Variable winds have stripped snow from exposed south facing terrain and formed fresh winds slabs at treeline and above. The new snow may be sitting on a sun-crust on steep solar aspects in the Coquihalla. At lower elevations you may be able to find a layer of surface hoar layer that was reported to be buried on December 17th.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Fresh storm slabs are most likely to develop later in the day in the south of the region. Variable winds shifting from east to northwest have created wind slabs in many areas that will be hidden by the new snow.
Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow.>Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and at tree-line. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2015 2:00PM
