Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Coast.
Follow good travel habits for a safe day. This includes standing well back of cornices, which are large and looming.
Confidence
High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies with no precipitation, 20 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperature -5 C.
THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 20 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperature -4 C.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 C.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 30 to 50 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 C.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches were reported. Avalanche activity is unlikely anywhere a thick melt-freeze crust is on the snow surface.
Snowpack Summary
A hard melt-freeze crust is found on the snow surface across the region. The crust is thickest at low elevations and likely thins as you move higher and onto shady aspects. The crust may not exist on the highest of mountains on north aspects.
A weak layer may be found around 30 to 60 cm deep at treeline and alpine elevations on northerly aspects. The layer of concern is composed of sugary faceted snow above a melt-freeze crust. Check out this forecaster blog for more info. Recent reports suggest that this layer is dormant.
The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.