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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 10th, 2018–Mar 11th, 2018
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: 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.

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.

Avalanche 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