Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Coast.
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Moderate to strong SW wind. Alpine temperature near +3, dropping during the day. Light snow.Wednesday: Moderate S wind. Alpine temperature near -6. Moderate snow (locally heavy on the Coquihalla).Thursday: Light snow. Winds and snow increasing late in the day.
Avalanche Summary
Recent observations mostly involve snowballing and wet loose avalanches to size 2 on sun-exposed slopes. Ongoing wet loose avalanche activity is quite likely with forecast warm temperatures.
Snowpack Summary
Unseasonably warm temperatures in the alpine have led to a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. Wind-affected surfaces are found at treeline and above. Large surface hoar crystals are growing in sheltered terrain below treeline.A surface hoar layer buried down 40-80 cm seems to be gaining strength. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer exists, which is now unlikely to be triggered, except perhaps by warming or heavy triggers in unsupported, shallow, rocky terrain where more faceting has taken place.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 4