Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2015 9:26AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Incoming precipitation may change the hazard, pay attention to snowfall amounts

Summary

Confidence

Good - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Sunny skies continue through Tuesday as the current ridge of high pressure remains parked over the region. By Tuesday evening, the ridge is expected to "flatten-out" allowing for a Pacific moisture stream to bring moderate snowfall to the region. Ridge top winds are forecast to be moderate from the west on Tuesday, switching to strong and southwesterly with Wednesday's system. Freezing levels should hover around 1800m for Monday and Tuesday, and then drop to about 1600m on Wednesday and rise again by Friday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. Forecast sunny skies may increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches and cornice failures.

Snowpack Summary

Snow surfaces can best be described as variable. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you'll likely find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.

Problems

Cornices

Incoming precipitation with strong winds may produce touchy windslabs in the alpine on lee slopes. Solar aspects may experience loose-wet avalanches in the PM. Cornice failures should be on your radar these days.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Stay well back from cornices.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2015 2:00PM