Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2019 4:54PM

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

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Watch for wind slabs in exposed areas and south-facing slopes that are being impacted by the sun.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Flurries possible. No significant accumulation expected.WEDNESDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level around 1000 m. Winds light northwesterly.THURSDAY: Light snow - 2-4 cm. Freezing level around 1000 m. Winds light southwesterly.FRIDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level rising to around 1500 m. Winds light southerly.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity over the weekend was limited to small slab and loose avalanches in the top 20 cm of snow (size 1). Looking ahead, the most likely problem will be fresh storm slabs. However the lingering persistent weak layer in the North Shore Mountains still poses a low likelihood - high consequence problem.

Snowpack Summary

Relatively light amounts of moist snow have fallen on a variety of snow surfaces including a crust on steep southerly slopes and possibly weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes. The new snow may take a little time to bond, especially on northerly aspects at higher elevations.A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 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

Wind Slabs

Winds shifted to the north at the end of the last storm, potentially building wind slabs on southerly aspects. These slopes may also be impacted by the sun, making them the most likely places to trigger an avalanche.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2019 2:00PM