Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2018 4:08PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

The freezing level is forecast to rise steadily over the next days, which will destabilize the surface snow in the short term.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast wind / Alpine temperature 4 / Freezing level 2100m MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast wind / Alpine temperature 6 / Freezing level 2500m TUESDAY: Cloudy with flurries or rain showers / light to moderate east wind / Alpine temperature 6 / Freezing level 2500m

Avalanche Summary

A skier triggered size 2 wind slab avalanche was reported from the north of the region on a northeast aspect in the alpine. Avalanche activity on Friday was reported as either loose dry to size 1 or wind slab activity to size 1-1.5 on northerly aspects at tree line.

Snowpack Summary

New snow accumulating on Thursday and Friday has been redistributed by southerly winds at upper elevations. The new snow sits on a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes, cold dry snow on polar aspects, and wind affected snow at upper elevations.In northern parts of the region the mid-February weak layer is about 40 cm below the surface and has been reactive in some snowpack tests. The layer is composed of sugary facets, a sun crust on solar aspects, and surface hoar that is present at and below treeline. No recent avalanche activity has been reported on these layers. The snowpack is well settled in southern parts of the region (e.g. Coquihalla and Manning Park).Variable winds in the past month have created cornices on many alpine ridgelines. They will become touchier as they grow in size, as temperatures rise, and as the strong late-winter sun shines down upon them on clear days.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow combined with predominantly southwest winds have created wind slabs in the lee of terrain features.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

Sun combined with rising freezing levels will weaken the surface snow on slopes exposed to the sun.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2018 3:00PM