Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2014–Dec 18th, 2014

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: South Coast.

Avalanche danger trending up over the next few days due to another warm storm moving in from the Southwest.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with light Southerly winds overnight. Some chance of flurries combined with moderate Southerly winds on Thursday, becoming snow overnight and into Friday morning. Expect 5-10 cm of new snow by Friday morning. Unsettled with moderate Southwest winds during the day Friday with freezing levels climbing up to about 1000 metres elevation. Winds becoming strong Southwest overnight and into Saturday morning. Expect 5-10 cm of new snow as the freezing levels climb up to about 2000 metres elevation.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches. Please let us know what you're seeing out there. Submit your observations by clicking on the "Avalanche Information " tab at the top of the page.

Snowpack Summary

Conditions in the Coquihalla area are quite different to the Duffey/Hurley regions. Reports from the Coquihalla suggest there's less than 1 m of snow in most avalanche areas. On the surface, fairly widespread surface hoar development has been reported. Below this, a small amount of recent storm snow overlies a thick rain crust. In the north, we have very limited observations. That said, I expect a deeper, more complex snowpack where well settled storm snow overlies a mix of crusts and facets which formed in November.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Persistent weak crystals which formed in November are potentially destructive, and are a bigger issue in the north of the region. Use extra caution in steep, unsupported alpine terrain.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 5