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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2018–Dec 20th, 2018

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast.

Another storm is passing over the region on Thursday, with freezing levels peaking around 2000m. Expect to find touchy conditions at higher elevations. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snow above 1200m, accumulation 10 to 15cm. THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall at high elevations and otherwise rainfall, accumulation 30 to 50mm, strong to extreme southwest winds, treeline temperature 2°c, freezing level rising from 1300m to 2000m over the day. FRIDAY: Partly cloudy, moderate west winds, treeline temperature -4°c, freezing level 700m. SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15cm, moderate to strong southwest winds, treeline temperature -2°c, freezing level 1000m.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches in the region. In the neighbouring Sea to Sky region, many natural and explosive-controlled avalanches have been reported through the last several days. Similar avalanche activity is likely to be found at high elevations in the South Coast region.We would very much appreciate it if you spend a moment to submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here, even if it is just a photo. Thanks!

Snowpack Summary

Thursday's precipitation will start as snow around 1300 m and then fall as rain at most elevations as freezing levels rise. The rain will fall onto recent dry snow above 1300 m and on rain-soaked snow below 1300 m. For the higher elevation areas, which are generally accessible around Squamish, expect to find storm slabs up to 100 cm thick and even deeper wind-loaded deposits in alpine lee terrain features. Snow depths are over 200 cm in the alpine.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.