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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 3rd, 2012–Mar 4th, 2012
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Sea To Sky.

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. Areas to the South are forecast to only get about 5-10 cm by Sunday noon. The next pulse of moisture looks like it will bring heavier precipitation to the South Coast. Expect 30-40 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

Some small size 1.0 avalanches were reported from Friday that released in thin soft windslabs on NE aspects.

Snowpack Summary

The westerly winds have started to move any snow available for transport in the alpine, and at treeline. New windslabs continue to form on North through East aspects, and old windslabs continue to linger on South through West aspects. A thin suncrust has formed on Southerly aspects. Reports of a preserved stellar layer exist down 20-40 cm. This layer has been reactive to rider triggers and should remain on your radar. Up to 60cm sits over a variety of old surfaces. These include melt-freeze crusts at lower elevations, old sun crusts on Southerly aspects into alpine elevations and spotty areas of surface hoar in sheltered treeline areas. The mid and lower snowpack is well bonded and strong.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow and wind should continue to build a storm slab above buried weak layers of preserved stellars, crusts, facets, and/or sheltered areas with buried surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 5

Wind Slabs

New snow and forecast strong winds are expected to develop new windslabs in the alpine and at treeline.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 5