Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

The high off the north coast will continue to push modified arctic air across the region. Some unstable disturbances are embedded in this flow, bringing scattered cloud along the southern boundary of the region on Monday. Most other locations further north will see full sun. Monday: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -11.0. Ridgetop winds light from the north.Tuesday: Sunny. Alpine temperatures near -9.0. Ridgetop winds light from the northeast.Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine  temperatures -2.0. Ridgetop winds light from the west. Freezing levels rising to 1600 m.

On Saturday, we received a report of a snowmobile triggered a size 3 slab avalanche in the Coal Creek area (Notch). It sounds like 7 sledders were involved and all self rescued. The avalanche was on a North aspect and the crown was 1-2 m deep. On Friday, the SR field team witnessed several large snowmobile remote triggered slab avalanches in the Elk Valley North. These avalanches were all triggered below treeline around 1800 m. On Thursday, a natural size 2.5 avalanche occurred near the Coal Creek road. The debris just reached the road, didn't block it but the air blast covered the road with branches. Wind loading and sunshine are forecast, which means natural avalanche activity will likely increase, especially on southerly aspects.Check out the South Rockies Blog to view photos of the remote triggered avalanches that were witnessed on Friday. It displays how sensitive and reactive the persistent weak layer continues to be. Finding safe areas to ride, and choosing the most appropriate terrain is very tricky given the current conditions.

Large cornices loom over slopes and wind slabs are building on leeward aspects. The recent storm snow is up to a metre thick and remains touchy. This slab continues to settle and become more cohesive, overlying a complex medley of persistent weak layers (mainly facets and some surface hoar). The weak layers are widespread on all aspects and at all elevations across the region. This is the classic firm slab over weak layer that allows for wide propagations and remote triggering. This problem may persist for days or even weeks. The mid-pack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack.