Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Apr 18 – 19, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

This bulletin was created using very limited field data. If you are out in the mountains, please send your observations to [email protected]

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    New snow may form storm slabs at higher elevations. Stiffer wind slabs have formed in leeward alpine terrain features from moderate-strong S through W winds.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Rain at lower elevations will saturate and destabilize the upper snowpack. Loose sluffing from steep terrain features is possible, especially from human-triggering.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Unsettled conditions are expected for Saturday morning before the next low pressure system hits the south coast Saturday afternoon or evening. Mainly overcast conditions and light precipitation are expected for Sunday and Monday. The system is tracking down the coast so there is some uncertainty as to how much precipitation will make it into the S. Coast Inland.Saturday: Precipitation 3-6mm, freezing level am: 1000m pm: 1700m, ridgetop wind: light increasing to moderate S-SWSat. Night: Precipitation 5-10mm, ridgetop wind: moderate-strong SWSunday: Precipitation 1-3mm, freezing level am: 1300m pm: 1700m, ridgetop wind: light-moderate S-SWSun. Night/Monday: Precipitation 3-6mm, freezing level am: 1500m pm: 2000m, ridgetop wind: moderate S-SW

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

New snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust which exists on all aspects up to 2000m, and to mountain-top on solar aspects. The recent warmer temperatures have helped to strengthen and settled the upper snowpack, especially on solar aspects. The upper snowpack is expected be moist at treeline and wet/isothermal below treeline.  Where dry snow exists, recent SW winds have formed wind slab in leeward features. Large sagging cornices remain a concern, especially during periods of warming. The February crust/facet layer is now deeply buried 150-250 cm below the surface. This layer is mostly inactive at this time, but could re-awaken with extended warming, solar influence and large triggers like cornice fall.

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