Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Feb 28 – 29, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch out for reactive pockets of soft slab in wind loaded features or on steep unsupported slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Moderate winds and new snow have formed fresh slabs, especially in steep lee features in the alpine and at treeline.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Cornices are reported to be large and weak. Several have collapsed recently and the weight of a person may be enough to cause a cornice failure.

Confidence

Moderate - Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: up to 5cm of new snow overnight with isolated flurries continuing through the day, light variable winds, 1500m freezing level. TUESDAY: light to moderate snowfall through the day with accumulations of up to 10cm expected, moderate southerly winds, 1800m freezing level. WEDNESDAY: snowfall continuing overnight with up to 10cm expected before a clearing trend through the day, light westerly winds, freezing level of 1900m.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated artificially and naturally triggered storm slab, wind slab and cornice avalanches continue to be reported. Cornices are large and fragile, and may fail under the weight of a person.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and weak. The new snow may sit above crust and or moist snow that was reported on all aspects and elevations although some high north facing features may have stayed cool. In wind loaded features, soft slabs may be reactive to human triggers. The mid-pack is generally well settled. A layer of surface hoar buried in early January can be found down 1-2 m. In most places it is thought to be capped by a thick widespread crust although it has produced some recent isolated hard sudden planar snowpit test failures in thinner snowpack areas.

Regions covered