Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 19th, 2018 4:29PM

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

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast.

It is a good time to be traveling in the mountains, but remember that low danger does not mean no danger. Loose wet avalanche activity should be limited Tuesday, but stubborn old wind slabs and large cornices demand our respect.

Summary

Confidence

High - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday offers a bit of a drying trend for most of the province.  A low approaching from the Gulf of Alaska may bring some precipitation to the region beginning Wednesday afternoon.TUESDAY: Overcast, freezing level holding at 1000 m, light to moderate northwest wind, 1 to 2 mm of precipitation possible. WEDNESDAY: Overcast, freezing level holding at 1000 m, light southwest wind, 5 to 10 mm of precipitation possible. THURSDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level holding at 700 m, moderate southwest wind, 8 to 12 mm of precipitation possible.

Avalanche Summary

No recent notable avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Last week's storm brought up to 15 cm of new snow to the alpine while rain saturated the upper snowpack at treeline and below. Surface conditions on solar aspects and below about 1500 m have been affected by daily melt-freeze cycles. In the limited alpine terrain where the recent precipitation fell as snow, stubborn old wind slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.Below any recent snow accumulations, the overall snowpack is well settled and strong. Cornices loom over many ridge lines. Cornices become more unstable during the day as the temperature rises, especially when they are receiving direct sun.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
It is a good time to be traveling in the mountains. Increased cloud cover should put the brakes on loose wet activity. Use normal caution and be aware that small wind slabs near ridge crest may be sensitive to human triggering.
Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Be careful around wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and in extreme terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 20th, 2018 2:00PM

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