Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Coast.
Recent snowfall has created heightened avalanche conditions on steep slopes.
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to limitations in the field data.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday night: Increasing clouds, light northwest wind, freezing level dropping to 700 m, treeline temperatures reach -4 C.
Thursday: Cloudy, scattered flurries with trace accumulations, light southwest wind, freezing level around 1000 m, treeline temperatures reach -3 C.
Friday: 10-20 cm of new snow, light southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1200 m in the afternoon, treeline temperatures reach 0 C.
Saturday: 10-20 cm of new snow, moderate southwest wind with strong gusts at ridge-tops, freezing level climbing to 1300 m in the afternoon, treeline temperatures reach 0 C.
Avalanche Summary
Slab avalanches are a concern on slopes with accumulations of new snow, especially in wind-loaded terrain. No recent avalanches have been reported, but mountain travel and field observations have been very limited over the past few days.
Snowpack Summary
15-25 cm of recent snow covers a variety of previous snow surfaces including crusts, warm snow, and wind-affected snow. There is some uncertainty about how well the new snow will bond to these interfaces. The snowpack is well-settled. Snowpack depths diminish rapidly with elevation, with 300-400 cm at treeline and no snow below 700 m.
Terrain and Travel
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
15-25 cm of recent snow may have left unstable slabs in steep terrain. There is uncertainty about how well these slabs will bond to underlying interfaces.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2