Cornices
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible - Likely
- Tamaño
- 2–3
Cornices are at their largest at this time of year, and become weaker with warm temperatures and solar radiation.
Start (and finish) your day early to avoid exposure to sun-exposed avalanche terrain. Steer clear of cornices overhead and plan your egress route carefully.
Cornices are at their largest at this time of year, and become weaker with warm temperatures and solar radiation.
The likelihood of wet slab avalanches increases during prolonged periods of warm temperatures, as the heat penetrates deeper into the snowpack. In the neighboring Seat to sky Region multiple very large wet slab avalanches have been observed in the last couple days. These avalanches are dense, destructive and can run far, reaching otherwise snow-free valley bottoms.
Wet loose avalanche activity can also be expected on sun exposed slopes and below treeline. These avalanches are generally smaller than wet slabs but they can gather mass as they travel and reach low elevations.
Sunday night - Clear / strong northeast wind / alpine low temperature near -2 / freezing level falling to 1200 m
Monday - Sunny / light wind / alpine high temperature near +1 / freezing level 2400 m
Tuesday - Sunny / light wind / alpine high temperature near +1 / freezing level 2400 m
Wednesday - Sunny / light wind / alpine high temperature near +2 / freezing level 2500 m
The few reports still trickling in confirm that widespread loose wet and cornice activity was still ongoing as of the weekend. The Coquihalla zone has also seen glide slabs up to size 3.
In neighboring Sea to Sky region, multiple wet slab avalanches were observed over the weekend near Whistler, size 2-4. Many of these involved the full depth of the snowpack, running to valley bottom. We suspect similar activity to have occurred in the Inland region as well.
Radiant cooling and (finally) a slight dip in freezing levels overnight have likely formed a crust in many areas. It should quickly soften during they day with sunshine and warm temperatures. Steep north aspects at the highest elevations may still hold dry snow.
Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Sun and warm temperatures will increase the chances of cornice failures, especially when temperatures remain above zero overnight.