Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 4th, 2013–Dec 5th, 2013

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Confidence

Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Arctic high will remain in the forecast region for the next few days. Temperatures reported down to -19 at 2000 M. Freezing levels to remain at valley bottom for the Sea to sky region.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control in the region produced soft slabs to size 1.5 at higher elevations that formed during snowfall and wind event on Sunday night. A skier-triggered size1 wind slab was reported close to Mt Brew in the Callaghan area. No reports of recent avalanche activity.Suspect wind slab formation created by the N winds.

Snowpack Summary

Snow depths are highly variable throughout the region, though reports suggest there is an average of about 120cm of snow at tree line elevations. Terrain below treeline is reported to be mostly below threshold for avalanche activity.The 25-45cm of snow that fell on the weekend should be bonding well to old surfaces, but has been redistributed by strong northerly winds. This reverse loading pattern has created new windslabs on south-facing terrain.Crusts have been found deeper in the snowpack with facets at higher elevations. Observers are not identifying any of these as cause for concern at this time, but worth remembering as the season develops.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Outflow winds from the N-NE following the last storm have produced slabs on southern aspects. Surface facetting has been reported at upper elevations.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Be cautious travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2