Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 14th, 2017 3:53PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.

jmcbride, Avalanche Canada

Cooler temperatures and snow are forecasted for Friday but don't expect to see appreciable amounts until later in the weekend. That said, if the main system arrives sooner than forecasted, then avalanche hazard will also increase sooner.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5 cm. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature +1. Freezing level 1000 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light from the northwest. Temperature near 0. Freezing level 800 m.SUNDAY: Snow. Accumulation 15-20 cm. Ridge wind moderate from the southwest. Temperature +1. Freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed during the past week however, some rather large blocks of snow were observed to topple over from the base of a steep, rocky outcrop depositing a 10 m wide debris pile across a snowshoe trail on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

A spring-like, melt-freeze crust has formed on all aspects although feathery, surface hoar and sugary, faceted snow may still exist in shaded areas on north aspects at upper elevations. Below the snow surface, the upper snowpack is well-settled an sits on the late-November rain crust. This crust is now buried approximately 120 cm at 1300m elevation, and is up to 30 cm thick. Beneath the crust, the lower snowpack is wet to ground. Below treeline the snow pack is thin and there are many early season hazards. Snowpack depths range from 30 cm at 800 m elevation to 180 cm at 1220 m.

Valid until: Dec 15th, 2017 2:00PM