Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2015 8:06AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Incoming storms have pushed the danger ratings to high. Use conservative travel techniques and avoid all risky terrain.If you have observations, consider sharing them through the MIN

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

A strong westerly flow will continue to bring Pacific moisture and storm pulses into the area through next week. Each successive system will bring warmer air, pushing freezing levels up to to 1700m by Monday afternoon, dropping briefly Tuesday morning, then rise again to 2300m by Tuesday afternoon. The Tuesday storm is forecast to bring 10 to 20cm of snow to upper elevations of the forecast region before tapering off in the late afternoon. The next weaker pulse should arrive on Wednesday morning.

Avalanche Summary

A number of size 1.5 natural, cornice failures were reported earlier in the week observed in the Duffey lake region. No other reports of avalanches

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack varies widely across the forecast region. The Duffey Lake area has received the most snow, and the most rain during the recent storms, as well as the highest freezing levels. The Coquihalla has a shallower snowpack with slightly cooler temperatures. Storm slabs of varying depths are developing above a mixture of old surfaces left behind after the recent high pressure. We have not had many observations from this region but generally speaking, warm temperatures should contribute to a well settled snowpack, if you are out in the mountains please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Continued precipitation is building the storm slab.
Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2015 2:00PM

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