Avalanche Forecast
South Coast Inland
The lure of powder slopes and sunny skies will be strong on Sunday. Take a cautious approach towards more aggressive terrain - especially steep, wind-affected terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use increased caution in lee areas. Recent snowfall and wind loading have created wind slabs.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
- Be alert to changing snow conditions, especially where the snow firms up or sounds hollow.
Avalanche Summary
Little activity has been reported lately, although there are not many observers out there right now. Small wind slabs are the most likely type of avalanche over the next few days.
Snowpack Summary
Approximately 30-50 cm of new snow now sits on top of a rain crust that formed during the wet weather in late November. The crust is reported to be thick (15 cm) below treeline and thin (2 cm) in the alpine.
On Saturday, moderate southeast winds in the south (Coquihalla) were reported, whilst moderate southwest winds were reported in the north (Duffey lake zone). The take home message is that southerly winds have blown snow around in exposed areas creating drifts and scoured areas. Stubborn wind slabs have formed near ridge crests and lee features.
Treeline snow depths are approximately 110 cm throughout the region.
Weather Forecast
We'll see a clearing trend on Sunday and fine weather during the week.
Sunday: Clearing in the morning and then dry with some sunny breaks. Light northwesterly winds. Freezing levels 800m.
Monday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Freezing levels around 600 m. Light northwesterly winds.
Tuesday: Mainly sunny and becoming warm up high. Freezing levels rising to 2000 m. Light northerly winds.
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Small wind slabs are possible in steep terrain behind ridge lines. On steep slopes, the new snow may not bond well to the underlying crust.