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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2019–Dec 3rd, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Stormy weather will create the potential for slab avalanches in wind affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Flurries overnight bring 5-10 cm of snow above 1000 m in southern parts of the region and up to 5 cm in northern parts of the region, 60-80 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures around -3 C.

TUESDAY: Scattered flurries with 5-10 cm of snow above 1200 m, 60-90 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.

WEDNESDAY: 10-30 cm of snow above 1000 m, 30-50 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

Minimal avalanche activity has been reported over the past week as the snowpack is generally thin and the weather has been benign. Some parts of the region could receive enough new snow over the next few days to form slabs at higher elevations. The greatest concern will be in wind affected terrain and where the snow falls onto smooth surfaces (such as glaciers, rock slabs, and areas where there is already enough snow to cover rocks and trees).

Snowpack Summary

Less snow will make its way into the South Coast Inland region than areas closer to the coast. 10-20 cm of new snow is possible by Tuesday afternoon, which will cover firm wind pressed snow and hard crusts. Even with this new snow, snowpack depths will remain quite thin throughout the region. Current snowpack depths are around 50 cm at upper treeline elevations, with many rocks and trees sticking out at lower elevations. In the alpine you can find slightly deeper pockets where wind has formed hard wind slabs.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.