Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2012 10:44AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

The mild airmass that moved over the region on Saturday will continue to cause alpine temperatures around -3.0 overnight and into Sunday. The storm is focused on the Central Coast around Bella Coola. Inland areas are forecast to only get about 5-10 cm by Sunday noon. The next pulse of moisture looks like it will bring heavier precipitation. Expect about 20-30 cm of snow combined with strong southwest winds on Sunday night. Snow should taper off by Monday morning with a chance of convective flurries Monday afternoon. The freezing level should drop down to valley bottom by Monday as the wind clocks to the northwest. Tuesday morning should be dry and cool with valley temperatures dropping down to about -10.0

Avalanche Summary

Reports of a natural moist avalanche cycle in the Coquihalla up to size 3.0. There is a report of a possible avalanche involvement in the Cerise Creek area. If you have any more information, please email us at forecaster@avalanche.ca or fill in an online report at www.avalanche.ca

Snowpack Summary

New windslabs are developing from new snow and strong westerly winds. Observers report moderate shears down 30-40 cm on decomposed and fragmented crystals. There has been about 25 cm in the Coquihalla and less in the Duffey Lake area in the past two days.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and strong forecast westerly winds are expected to develop windslabs that may be easily triggered.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Storm Slabs

New snow at higher elevations and freezing levels up to about 1500 metres have developed a reactive storm slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

Forecast snow through the weekend may add to the current storm snow instabilities; especially in areas that overlie preserved stellars, facets, buried surface hoar and crusts. Avalanches sliding on this layer may be large and destructive.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2012 8:00AM