Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 4th, 2019 4:51PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Although the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab avalanche has decreased, the problem still exists. Continue to employ a conservative approach to terrain selection.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, light to moderate southeast wind, treeline temperature -6 C, freezing level 500 m.TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, light southeast wind, treeline temperature -6 C, freezing level 300 m.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, trace accumulation, light to moderate southeast wind, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level 500 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light southwest wind, treeline temperature -6 C, freezing level 500 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity in the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

Soft snow overlies stiff wind slabs in exposed areas and consolidated snow in sheltered areas. On slopes exposed to the sun, the snow surface will be composed of a melt-freeze crust at night, which may melt into moist snow during the day. The snow surface has remained dry on shady slopes.A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 60 to 110 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.The lower snowpack is generally strong.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 60 to 110 cm deep. This problem seems to be most prevalent in the North Shore Mountains.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagation due to the presence of a buried weak layer.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 5th, 2019 2:00PM