Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2013 10:45AM

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

mpeter, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Danger could INCREASE TO CONSIDERABLE on south and west aspects due to intense solar radiation. Be locally aware to changing conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Friday: Spring continues! Expect mostly clear skies and warm temperatures. Winds should be light northerly with alpine temperatures reaching 5.Saturday/Sunday: The high pressure system persists with more warm, clear and calm weather. Winds remain light northerly and temperatures climb to 5 each afternoon.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet avalanches up to 2.0 have been reported on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Recent warm temperatures have created melt freeze crusts up to 2000m on all aspects and well into the alpine on south and west facing terrain. These crusts break down with daytime warming and the surface snow can lose cohesion as a result. Cornices are huge!Various melt-freeze crusts are buried in the upper snowpack. In general, the bond at these interfaces is good. A layer of surface hoar (buried on March 11; now down about 60 cm) is still being observed in some locations, with moderate to hard results in snowpack tests. Triggering this layer has become less likely, but possible with a large trigger or from a thin snowpack zone. Mid and lower snowpack layers are well bonded.

Problems

Loose Wet

Daytime warming or solar radiation may cause loose wet avalanches on steep south-facing or low elevation slopes. Wet slabs are also possible, especially on steep low elevation terrain.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices are large and become more susceptible to failure due to large temperature fluctuations.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Persistent Slabs

Avalanches failing on a crust and/or surface hoar layer buried about 60 cm are becoming less likely, but could be triggered with a heavy load (cornice), or from a thin or convex-shaped part of a slope.

Be wary of convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2013 2:00PM