Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2013 9:45AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Monday: No snow. Sunny breaks. Light winds. Freezing level around 1200 m.Tuesday: Light snow. Light S winds. Freezing level around 1100 m.Wednesday: Light snow. Light winds. Freezing level around 900 m.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle to size 3.5 occurred on Friday and Saturday. Numerous large slabs failed on a surface hoar/crust weakness. Loose wet avalanches were prevalent below treeline, and a size 2.5 wet slab was reported, gouging to ground in the lower track on Saturday. Â

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm delivered 60-70 mm of precipitation, which fell with warming temperatures, dropping rain below about 1800 m. A subsequent drop in temperature has left a supportive frozen crust up to treeline. Strong south to south-westerly winds during the storm created touchy wind slabs on lee terrain. A weak layer of buried surface hoar and/or a crust was overloaded during the storm, creating a widespread avalanche cycle. The lower snowpack is well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Southwest winds have set up touchy wind slabs which could be triggered by the weight of a person.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

Recent storm snow may still be touchy, especially where it sits above a persistent weak layer in areas which didn't avalanche during the recent storm. Direct sun could weaken storm snow.

Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.>Be cautious in areas that have not avalanched recently.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 7

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2013 2:00PM