Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Feb 5, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Very touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers. Conservative decision making will be CRITICAL to playing safe in the mountains this weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers. Don't forget about what's above your head. Natural avalanches starting at ridge tops may run to valley bottoms.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: 20-25 cm new snow/ Moderate to strong, southerly winds/ Freezing level 600m.Sunday: 10-15 cm new snow/ Moderate, southerly winds/ Freezing level 400m.Monday: 5-10 cm new snow/ Light, variable winds/ Freezing level sea level.Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with flurries/ Light, variable winds/ Freezing level sea level.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, there were numerous reports of human triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 running on a knife hard crust much further than expected. Human triggered avalanches are expected to be very likely throughout the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

35-40 cm of new snow is sitting on a knife hard crust/ice glaze. These storm slabs have been very reactive to human triggers. An additional 20-25 cm is expected by Sunday morning which will increase the expected size and destructive nature of the avalanches. The mid and lower snowpack are settled and well bonded with the average snowpack depth up to 300 cm at treeline.

Regions covered