Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 16th, 2017 4:06PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Another wet storm is hitting the coast on Friday night. In the meantime, the new snow may be reactive at higher elevations where it's poorly bonded to a buried rain crust.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Light flurries before the next storm arrives Friday evening, moderate southwest winds, treeline temperatures around -2 C.SATURDAY: Storm starts Friday night and delivers 40-60 cm, strong southwest winds, freezing level up to 1200 m.SUNDAY: Clearing skies following the storm as treeline temperatures drop to around -5 C, light west winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently but observations have been very limited during the warm storm. On Friday, the most recent snow is expected to form new wind slabs in exposed terrain that may bond poorly to a buried rain crust.

Snowpack Summary

About 20 cm of new snow fell on Thursday which now sits above a widespread layer of wet snow that is gradually turning into a crust. Moderate south winds are likely forming wind slabs in the lee of exposed terrain, which may bond poorly to the crust. The late-February weak layer is about 1.5 m deep and is likely now unreactive in most areas. This layer is composed of a sun crust on southerly aspects and surface hoar on shaded aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The new snow with strong alpine winds has likely formed fresh wind slabs. These slabs will sit over a crust in many areas and are expected to be touchy. Cornices are also reported to be large and may still be weak.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 17th, 2017 2:00PM