Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
South Coast Inland.
Avalanche danger has decreased, but cornices and wind slabs likely remain problematic in the alpine, especially in extreme terrain. We have no recent observations from this region, please let us know what you're seeing on the MIN!
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
We are slowly transitioning towards a period of pronounced high pressure. The forecast period is marked by cooler temps, very little precipitation and the potential for less cloud cover by the weekend. THURSDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 700 m, light southwest wind, no significant precipitation expected.FRIDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 1000 m, light west wind, a trace of snow possible. SATURDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 750 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.SUNDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 700 m, light northerly wind, no significant precipitation expected.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches reported. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.
Snowpack Summary
Before the most recent storm, snow depths were around 50 to 90 cm at treeline and alpine elevations. Monday and Tuesday's intense precipitation event probably rain-soaked the existing snowpack up to about 1900 m. Temperatures remained cool on Tuesday above 1900 m, when 15 to 20 cm of snow fell. Moderate to strong south/southwest wind on Monday and Tuesday likely formed storm slabs, cornices, and wind damaged snow in high elevation alpine terrain.
Problems
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.