Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2015 9:24AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

New snow, strong winds, and rising temperatures are a perfect recipe for avalanches. Careful route selection will be critical for safe back country travel

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

The South Coast Inland should see some clearing on Friday with freezing levels going up to 2700m. On Saturday expect 10mm of moisture with freezing levels at around 1700m followed by another 5 to 10mm on Sunday and Monday next week with freezing levels dropping to more normal seasonal values.

Avalanche Summary

A few wet snow avalanches have been reported occurring on solar aspects. Cloudy skies may keep the surface from overnight freezing and rising teemperatures may increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches and cornice failures.

Snowpack Summary

The recent precipitation is falling on a variety of old snow surfaces that exist throughout the region. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you may find stubborn old wind slabs and some surface facets from cold, clear nights, buried around March 5th. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. Cornices , however, may become weak with daytime warming. New storm snow will most likely be quite wet and accompanied by strong SW winds.

Problems

Cornices

New snow will increase the load on already mature cornices, rising temperatures will increase the hazard.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Stay well back from cornices.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

New snow with strong winds will build new wind slabs

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2015 2:00PM