Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2013 9:56AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: No snow. Cloudy. Light SW winds. Alpine temperature near +1. Wednesday: Light snow. Light SE winds. Alpine temperature near +1. Thursday: Light snow. Light SW winds. Alpine temperature near +1.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, some small sluffs were reported. An unsettling whumph was felt at 1900 m on a south aspect. Â

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is variable across the region. Recent storm snow has been redistributed by shifting winds into wind slabs over various crust layers in the upper snowpack.Â On sun-baked and low elevation slopes, a melt-freeze cycle is in play at the snow surface, leaving a crust behind during overnight cooling, which may break down by day.Â Surface hoar, buried down about 50-90 cm, still shows reactivity in snowpack tests, but in general, triggering this layer has become less likely. It still remains possible with a heavy load or from a thin-spot trigger point. Cornices are large and unstable in some areas. Warm temperatures may weaken them further.

Problems

Loose Wet

Daytime warming or solar radiation may cause loose wet avalanches on steep south-facing or low elevation slopes. There is also potential to trigger slabs in steep rocky or sparsely treed terrain.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

Avalanches failing on a crust and/or surface hoar layer buried about 50-70 cm down are becoming less likely, but could be triggered with a heavy load (cornice), or from a thin or convex-shaped part of a slope.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Choose regroup spots that are out of avalanche terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Mar 26th, 2013 2:00PM