Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Coast.
Avalanche danger will increase through the day Sunday as new snow accumulates over a slippery crust. Expect loose dry sluffing and dial it back if new snow amounts get closer to 20 cm by the end of the day.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.
Weather Forecast
Snowfall amounts on Sunday are uncertain due to disagreement between weather models.
Saturday night: Increasing cloud, flurries up to 5 cm, moderate westerly wind, treeline temperature around -6.
Sunday: Snow, 5-15 cm, light wind, treeline temperature around -6.
Monday: Snow, 10-15 cm, light southerly wind, treeline temperature around -9.
Tuesday: Flurries, up to 5 cm, moderate southeast wind, treeline temperatures around -9.
Avalanche Summary
No new reports. On Sunday we expect to see loose dry avalanches around size 1 on steep slopes.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of dry snow falls over a widespread crust which has begun to facet and form surface hoar crystals ontop, especially on north aspects. Due to these crystals and cold temperatures, new snow is not expected to bond well to the old surface. Under the frozen block, the remainder of the snowpack is still moist and well consolidated.Â
Click here to watch North Shore Rescue's snowpack conditions update including a great explanation of persistent weak layer formation.
Terrain and Travel
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
- Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
- Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.