Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2019 3:54PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Although the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab avalanche has decreased, the problem still exists. Continue to employ a conservative approach to terrain selection.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear skies, light south wind, treeline temperature -6 C, freezing level 500 m.WEDNESDAY: Mostly clear skies with afternoon cloud, moderate southeast wind, treeline temperature -4 C, freezing level 700 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light southwest wind, treeline temperature -6 C, freezing level 500 m.FRIDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, light northwest wind, treeline temperature -6 C, freezing level 600 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity in the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of soft snow in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes.A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 60 to 110 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.The lower snowpack is generally strong.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 60 to 110 cm deep. This problem seems to be most prevalent in the North Shore Mountains.

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Be aware of the potential for wide propagation due to the presence of a buried weak layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2019 2:00PM