Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2017 3:17PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

A warm, wet, and windy storm will heighten avalanche danger in the region on Friday. Avalanche problems will vary greatly based on your elevation.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: Periods of snow bringing 10-15 cm of new snow. Strong south winds.Friday: Periods of snow bringing 10-15 cm of new snow over the day. Moderate south winds. Freezing level to 1300 metres with alpine temperatures around -2.Saturday: Continuing flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Light southwest winds. Freezing level to 1000 metres with alpine temperatures around -5Sunday: Cloudy with scattered flurries and a trace of new snow, intensifying in the evening. Light to moderate southeast winds. Freezing level to 1300 metres with alpine temperatures around -2.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region. Looking forward, the focus is on our new snow accumulations. At lower elevations where temperatures approach 0 or higher, new snow can be expected to release in natural loose wet avalanches out of steep terrain, as well as under skier traffic. At higher, colder elevations, more of our recent precipitation likely fell as snow. This means you can expect to find increasingly thick and reactive storm and/or wind slabs as you gain elevation in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

About 5 cm of new snow lies on the surface at about 1400 metres and below. This new snow lies over moist or wet snow sitting above a strong and well settled snowpack. In the highest elevation terrain, new snow amounts are likely closer to 10 cm. At these elevations, the new snow contributes to storm and/or wind slabs sitting above a a strong rain crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast strong winds will blow recent and incoming snowfall into touchy wind slabs on lee aspects at high elevations. New snow depths vary with elevation and thicker, more widespread, and more reactive storm slabs may be expected in the high alpine.

Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Be increasingly cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

With freezing levels rising to about 1300 metres, new snow accumulations at this elevation and below will tend to release in natural loose wet sluffs out of steep terrain, as well as under skier traffic.

Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow may accumulate into deep deposits.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2017 2:00PM