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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 28th, 2017–Mar 1st, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: South Coast.

Incoming snow, wind, and warming temperatures will increase avalanche hazard over the next several days.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Snow starting late on Tuesday is forecast to provide 10 to 20 cm by Wed afternoon. Snow will coincide with moderate SW winds. Temperatures warming with freezing level rising to approximately 800 m.THURSDAY: Continued snow with another 20 to 30 cm by evening, still accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds. Temperatures slightly warmer with freezing level peaking around 1000 m. FRIDAY: Still snowing with another 15 to 25 cm by Friday evening with moderate SW winds easing to light W. Temperatures cooling slightly with freezing level falling to 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Only small sluffing reported. With an incoming storm forecast the potential for slab avalanches (wind slab and storm slabs) will increase.

Snowpack Summary

Below the 20 cm of recent snow, the previous snow surface was a mix of sun crust on southerly aspects and surface hoar on shaded aspects with bonds beginning to strengthen. The widespread 20 cm thick mid-February rain crust, is now down around 40-60 cm at higher elevations. Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled and strong. Forecast incoming snow (starting Tuesday overnight) suggests at higher elevations there will be fresh wind slabs on north and east facing slopes, and when there is more than 20 cm of new snow also expect to find storm slabs on steeper slopes, even where wind protected.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Touchy wind slabs are lurking below ridge crests and behind terrain features on all aspects in exposed areas. If more than 25 cm of new snow accumulates (likely by Thursday) storm slabs will develop on steeper slopes even in the absence of wind.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.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: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2