Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Apr 6 – 7, 2015Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

The hazard may go higher than forecast in the afternoon with solar heating. Cornice failure is a real concern with these spring conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs may be found on north and east lee slopes at upper elevations.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–5
    No  recent  activity has been reported on this slab/over weak layer, but it's still there and could be triggered by a wet loose avalanche or a wind slab avalanche

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Cloudy tonight with the possibility of a few snow showers as the last of a Pacific frontal system tracks east and south of the region. Sunny with cloudy periods for the remainder of the forecast period. Winds light and variable for the next few days, with the freezing level rising to 2000m by Thursday afternoon.

Avalanche Summary

Moist loose avalanches reported on solar aspects below 1900m. No other reports from the area. Cornices are now becoming a concern as the Spring temperatures progress.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of low density storm snow is sitting on a strong and supportive rain crust that was buried last Saturday and extends as high as 2100m. West through southwesterly winds have shifted these new accumulations into wind slabs in lee terrain, especially high NE aspects. A facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. It was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road, and produced moderate sudden results. This remains a serious concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with warming and spring-like temperatures. Moist snow has been reported on all aspects up to 1800m

Regions covered