Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2014 8:28AM

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

rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Stability is improving but there are still avalanche problems out there. If you see anything interesting, please submit an observation using our new website tool. For more details see: http://goo.gl/Tj0xPC

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

High pressure persists for the forecast period. Monday should be mainly sunny with treeline temperatures around -6C and light SE winds. On Tuesday and Wednesday, conditions are much the same with a mix of sun and cloud, treeline temperatures around -6C, and light winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported at publish time on Sunday. On Saturday, isolated natural activity was reported up to size 2.5 above 2400m. Explosive control on Saturday produced wind slabs and persistent slabs up to size 1.5. On Friday there was isolated activity including a natural size 2.5 wind slab and some explosive triggered storm slabs to size 1.5. Widespread natural avalanche activity up to size 3 was reported on Wednesday and Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

A surface crust exists to around 2100m and is generally supportive to skiers. Above this elevation is dry snow but this has likely been wind-affected by recent strong southerly winds. A thick rain crust with facets from early November is buried over 1 m down. Snowpack tests on this deep weak layers are showing improving results, but in some locations these layers are still reactive and has the potential to release large slab avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong southerly winds last week created wind slabs in the alpine. Watch for wind loaded or cross loaded slopes well below ridge crests.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The likelihood of triggering a persistent slab has decreased with dropping temperatures but be wary of any slope that did not release during the storms or has been reloaded.

Avoid common trigger zones including thin snowpack areas, near rocky outcrops, and steep alpine slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2014 2:00PM