Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Mar 17 – 18, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche danger will rise on solar aspects during the day. Hunt for good dry snow and lower hazard on the north side of the mountain!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Light to moderate outflow winds (from the north) may have reverse loaded slopes near ridge crests creating touchy pockets of wind slab on southerly aspects.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Cornices are reported to be large and weak. Natural cornice releases are possible with sun exposure and warming.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    These loose wet sluffs can gain significant mass and have the potential to drag you places you might not want to go.

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Mainly sunny. The freezing level jumps to around 1600-1800 m and ridge winds are light to moderate from the east-southeast. SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is around 1800-2100 m and winds remain light. SUNDAY: Light to moderate snow or rain with freezing levels near 1800-2100 m and light ridge winds.

Avalanche Summary

Cornices continue to pop off with regularity. Some are triggering slabs below and others are not. In the north of the region on Sunday, a cornice collapse triggered a size 3.5 deep slab avalanche which failed on glacier ice. A second size 3.5 deep persistent slab was observed nearby on Tuesday likely occurring around the same time. Forecast sunshine and warming will likely increase cornice activity and cause loose wet snow to continue shedding from steep sun exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.

Regions covered