Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Coast.
Use extra caution if you are headed into the alpine. Wind slab and the late January layer could be found at higher elevations.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Monday night: light snow starting around midnight bringing trace amounts. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels falling to 1000m.
Monday: Stormy weather in the morning with around 5cm of snow at higher elevations. Light to moderate west winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.
Tuesday: trace amounts of precipitation with light southwest winds. Freezing level staying around 1500m.
Wednesday: no new snow expected. Moderate northwest winds and freezing levels rising to 3000m.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous wet loose natural and skier triggered avalanches were observed on Friday at lower elevations. At treeline and above several wind slab avalanches to size one were reported on Northerly aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of moist snow fell Friday mixed with rain at treeline and below, above this it fell as dry snow. This overlies a melt freeze crust that likely extends to the top of treeline. Below this crust 20 to 60 cm of dry snow sits above another thick and supportive crust that extends to mountain top. At upper treeline and alpine, facets and surface hoar could be found above this crust.
The middle and base of the snowpack are well settled and strong.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Rider triggerable wind slab could be found near ridge crests at treeline and above. Larger avalanches are possible in alpine terrain and upper treeline where facets exist above the late January crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5