Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 18th, 2014 9:13AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

This bulletin was created using very limited field data. If you are out in the mountains, please send your observations to forecaster@avalanche.ca

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Unsettled conditions are expected for Saturday morning before the next low pressure system hits the south coast Saturday afternoon or evening. Mainly overcast conditions and light precipitation are expected for Sunday and Monday. The system is tracking down the coast so there is some uncertainty as to how much precipitation will make it into the S. Coast Inland.Saturday: Precipitation 3-6mm, freezing level am: 1000m pm: 1700m, ridgetop wind: light increasing to moderate S-SWSat. Night: Precipitation 5-10mm, ridgetop wind: moderate-strong SWSunday: Precipitation 1-3mm, freezing level am: 1300m pm: 1700m, ridgetop wind: light-moderate S-SWSun. Night/Monday: Precipitation 3-6mm, freezing level am: 1500m pm: 2000m, ridgetop wind: moderate S-SW

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

New snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust which exists on all aspects up to 2000m, and to mountain-top on solar aspects. The recent warmer temperatures have helped to strengthen and settled the upper snowpack, especially on solar aspects. The upper snowpack is expected be moist at treeline and wet/isothermal below treeline. Where dry snow exists, recent SW winds have formed wind slab in leeward features. Large sagging cornices remain a concern, especially during periods of warming. The February crust/facet layer is now deeply buried 150-250 cm below the surface. This layer is mostly inactive at this time, but could re-awaken with extended warming, solar influence and large triggers like cornice fall.

Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow may form storm slabs at higher elevations. Stiffer wind slabs have formed in leeward alpine terrain features from moderate-strong S through W winds.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Rain at lower elevations will saturate and destabilize the upper snowpack. Loose sluffing from steep terrain features is possible, especially from human-triggering.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 19th, 2014 2:00PM