Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Mar 28 – 29, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

A steady accumulation of snow over the past few days has gradually increased the avalanche danger at upper elevations

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Light new snow amounts combined with moderate to strong southerly winds have been building wind slabs.
  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Recent warm and windy weather has been promoting cornice growth.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 10-20cm Tuesday night through Wednesday / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1400 m THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1400mFRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1200m

Avalanche Summary

One report of a cornice collapse in the south of the region on Sunday that resulted in a slab avalanche; the size was not reported due to poor visibility. A few isolated thin wind slab avalanches were reported on Monday in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Steady light snowfalls over last week accumulated 30-55cm of heavily wind affected new snow in the region. Freezing levels to 2000m or higher and intermittent sun over the same time period created a variety of crust layers within the upper snowpack at lower elevations and on solar aspects. A thick rain crust forming in Mid-March up to 2100m is down 45-70cm below the surface. In the north of the region, the February persistent weak layers may still be found and are down 100-140cm. They include a buried surface hoar layer as well as a crust/facet layer. In the southern parts of the region, the mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.

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