Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2017 4:27PM

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.

There is variability in the amount of snow forecast for the south and north of the region. With locally higher amounts of snow than forecast the avalanche danger may be elevated from what is indicated.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-15cm / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1400mSUNDAY: Isolated flurries / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300mMONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light north wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1200m

Avalanche Summary

Several size 2.5 to 3 storm and wind slab avalanches were reported running naturally in the Duffy Lakes area on Thursday during a period of warming sunshine. These were on all aspects in the alpine and were 50-80cm deep.

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. All this sits on a melt freeze crust formed March 21 up to the 2100m elevation. In the north of the region, the February persistent weak layers may still be found in the alpine 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 new wind slabs.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Recent warm and windy weather has been promoting cornice growth.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could potentially trigger deeper weak layersCornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2017 2:00PM