Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2017 3:00PM

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

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

You may encounter unstable snow behind ridgelines or summits, especially in wind effected areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Friday: Flurries. Freezing level around 1700 m. Winds 10-20 km/h from the southwest. Saturday: Mostly dry with some sun appearing in the afternoon. Freezing level around 1700 m. Winds mostly calm. Sunday: Dry, with sunshine, especially in the morning. Freezing level rising to 1900 m. Light southeasterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, a size 1.5 cornice triggered avalanche was reported on a north aspect at 2200 m in the Duffey Lake area.

Snowpack Summary

Relatively light amounts of recent snow have created wind slabs in the immediate lee of exposed terrain features at treeline and above. On sun solar aspects and at lower elevations, numerous crusts exist in the upper snowpack which are generally well bonded. Cornices are large and remain a concern: Saturday's fatal accident near Lions Bay illustrates the danger of them breaking off, and the large avalanches they can trigger.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Shifting wind directions have created fresh wind slabs on a variety of aspects.

Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.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, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Recent snow and wind are growing already large cornices. Minimize your exposure to cornices when it is cold and cloudy and completely avoid them when it is warm and/or sunny.

Falling cornices can trigger large avalanches.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2017 2:00PM