Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Coast Inland.
Heightened avalanche conditions exist on wind loaded slopes. In the north of the region, the likelihood of triggering deeply buried weak weak layers has reduced, however the consequences of doing so are still high.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to limitations in the field data.
Weather Forecast
Saturday Night: Mainly cloudy, light to moderate south wind, alpine high -4, freezing level 900 m.
Sunday: Mainly cloudy with flurries, moderate southwest wind, alpine high -3, freezing level 1000 m.
Monday: Periods of snow, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine high -1, freezing level 1200 m.
Tuesday: Snow or rain, strong south wind, alpine high 0, freezing level 1600 m.
Avalanche Summary
There were no reports of avalanche activity in the latter part of the week
Reports from Wednesday include a human triggered size 2 storm slab avalanche at 2000 m on a north aspect in the Duffey Lake area. As well a few natural size 1-1.5 naturally triggered windslabs in the alpine.Â
Snowpack Summary
Snow from last week has been redistributed at upper elevations. In sheltered areas below treeline, the most recent snow may be sitting on surface hoar.Â
A melt-freeze crust from early December is found around 80 to 180 cm deep in the snowpack. This crust may have surface hoar or sugary faceted grains sitting above it. This persistent weak layer is most prevalent in the north (e.g., Duffey Lake, Hurley).
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent southwest winds have created reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A couple of problematic layers may be found around 80 to 180 cm deep primarily in the north of the region (e.g. Duffey, Hurley), including weak layers of surface hoar and faceted grains above a hard melt-freeze crust. Although the likelihood of triggering is reducing, the consequences of doing so would be high.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3