Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Apr 11 – 12, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

The hazard may go higher than forecast if precipitation amounts are greater than expected. If you have field observations to share here, we'd love to hear from you.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Recent storm snow has been blown onto lee slopes at treeline and above.  These soft slabs may be very reactive to skier or rider traffic.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    New snow loading and warming temperatures may trigger cornice failures, definitely something to be aware of.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    This slab has not been active recently, and may soon disappear as a problem, but for the time being it's worth keeping in mind.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

The cold front has passed through the area leaving cool unsettled conditions.  Expect convective showers over the next few days.SUNDAY:  A cool unstable air mass will continue to bring precipitation to the region overnight Saturday and Sunday. 10 to 15cm of precipitation, freezing level around 110 m and winds moderate to strong from the South West.MONDAY:  Cloudy with flurries and/or rain.  Freezing level will rise to 1600m and moderate to strong winds from the South West.TUESDAY:  A brief break in the weather pattern. Cloudy with sunny periods, freezing level around 1200m, winds light to moderate from the South West.

Avalanche Summary

No reports of avalanche activity from yesterday.  This is most likely as a result of few field observations. We expect wind slab activity with new loading and strong winds.  Solar aspect may become active again when the sun come out.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30cm of storm snow now rests on a variety of crusts and old surfaces including surface hoar and facets that formed in sheltered locations during the recent clear weather. Moderate to strong south west winds are redistributing the storm snow into wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge tops. A facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down.  This remains a concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with increased loading, possibly triggering the deeply buried weak layer.

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