Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 30th, 2017 4:14PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Warm temperatures combined with potential extended periods of sunshine may increase avalanche danger as the day progresses on Friday

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1400mSATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries in the north. Flurries in the south, accumulation 5-10cm / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1200mSUNDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300m

Avalanche Summary

Several thin wind and storm slab avalanches to size 1.5 in steep lee terrain were reported on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Steady light snowfalls over the last week have accumulated 40-60cm of new snow in the region. Freezing levels to 2000m or higher and intermittent sun over the same time period created a variety of thin crust layers within the upper snowpack at lower elevations and on solar aspects. A thick rain crust forming in Mid-March up to the 2100m elevation is down 50-80cm below the surface. In the north of the region, the February persistent weak layers may still be found and are down 100-140cm. They include a buried surface hoar layer as well as a crust/facet layer. In the southern parts of the region, the mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow accumulations combined with moderate southerly winds have been building wind slabs.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Recent warm and windy weather has been promoting cornice growth.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposurePay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could potentially trigger deeper weak layers

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 31st, 2017 2:00PM