Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Mar 18 – 19, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Watch for overhead cornices and use caution in wind affected alpine terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Strong easterly winds have created dense wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain (be cautious near morraines and downslope from glaciers). Warm temperatures could make these more sensitive to rider triggering. 

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Warm temperatures could maintain cornice activity despite the disappearance of the sun. 

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy with a chance of flurries or showers. The freezing level climbs to 2100-2300 m and winds are light to moderate from the SE-SW. SUNDAY: Periods of light snow or rain – 5-10 cm/mm. The freezing level is near 1800-2100 m. Ridge winds are light to moderate from the S-SE. MONDAY: Cloudy with flurries. The freezing level is around 1600-1800 m and winds are light to moderate from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

Many areas reported widespread wind affected snow in alpine areas on Thursday. One reporter from the northern part of the region reported skier triggered soft slabs up to 30 cm deep (size 1-1.5). Cornices continue to pop off with regularity. Some are triggering slabs below and others are not. Some minor loose wet sluffing was also observed on sun-exposed slopes on Thursday afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.

Regions covered