South Coast Inland

Natural avalanches are unlikely but small, isolated rider triggerable wind slabs could exist.

Stepping out into big terrain with good travel habits and group management is appropriate.

High

• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

On Tuesday and Wednesday, numerous natural, wet loose avalanches up to size 1 were observed. These avalanches occurred in steep, rocky south facing terrain.

Trace amounts of new snow are possible by Friday morning. This new snow will overlie a variety of surfaces, including a crust on south-facing aspects, wind-affected snow on north-facing terrain, and surface hoar on sheltered features.

The mid December crust is 90 to 150 cm deep, except on wind scoured alpine features where it could be on the surface. This crust is well bonded to the snow above. Above 2200 m, this crust is absent and a layer of facets and a crust from November is found at the base of the snowpack. These layers are not currently a concern.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy. Trace amounts of snow possible. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.