Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2015 9:09AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices.

Avalanche Canada bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast.

Incoming precipitation may arrive as a mix of rain and snow. Snowfall amounts will determine the hazard at upper elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

A Pacific moisture stream will bring precipitation into the region late Wednesday and into Thursday. There will be a brief clearing on Friday with freezing levels going up to 3000m. More precipitation will arrive in the region by Saturday morning and continue into Sunday. Ridge top winds are forecast to be moderate to strong and southwesterly with Wednesday's system. Freezing levels should hover around 1800m for  the next  4 days with the exception of the "heat wave" on Friday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. Forecast sunny skies may increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches and cornice failures.

Snowpack Summary

Snow surfaces can best be described as variable. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you'll likely find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Incoming precipitation with strong winds may produce touchy windslabs in the alpine on lee slopes. Solar aspects could experience loose-wet avalanches in the PM. Cornice failures should be on your radar.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Stay well back from cornices.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2015 2:00PM

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