Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 9th, 2018–Mar 10th, 2018

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: South Coast Inland.

Expect to see the first real warmup of the season with clear skies and rising freezing levels through the weekend into next week. This will initially impact the new snow that fell on Friday, especially on solar aspects.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light south wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1400m SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature 1 / Freezing level 2000m MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light south wind / Alpine temperature 5 / Freezing level 2500m

Avalanche Summary

No notable avalanches were reported Thursday or Friday. Numerous loose wet avalanches were observed in steep south-facing terrain on Wednesday and Tuesday. Most were small (size 1), but a few in the Coquihalla reached size 2.

Snowpack Summary

New snow accumulating on Thursday and Friday has been redistributed by southerly winds at upper elevations. The new snow sits on a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes, cold dry snow on polar aspects, and wind affected snow at upper elevations.In northern parts of the region the mid-February weak layer is about 40 cm below the surface and has been reactive in some snowpack tests. The layer is composed of sugary facets, a sun crust on solar aspects, and surface hoar that is present at and below treeline. No recent avalanche activity has been reported on these layers. The snowpack is well settled in southern parts of the region (e.g. Coquihalla and Manning Park).Variable winds in the past month have created cornices on many alpine ridgelines. They will become touchier as they grow in size, as temperatures rise, and as the strong late-winter sun shines down upon them on clear days.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow combined with predominantly southerly winds has created wind slabs in the lee of terrain features.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

Sun combined with rising freezing levels will weaken the surface snow on slopes exposed to the sun.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5