Conditions are generally stable but keep a heads up around cornices and on steep, sun exposed slopes in the afternoon.Are you a member of Avalanche Canada? Join today at avalanche.ca/membership
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Unsettled conditions are expected for Friday as the ridge of high pressure rebuilds over the south coast. A mix of sun and cloud is expected with moderate NE winds in the alpine. Freezing levels are forecast to reach around 1300m. On Saturday, sunny conditions are expected with freezing levels reaching around 1500m. Alpine winds are forecast to be moderate-to-strong from the NE. On Sunday, very similar conditions are expected.
Avalanche Summary
Some small solar-triggered activity was reported on Monday and no new avalanches have been reported since. Avalanches are generally not expected on Friday but could be possible on steep south-facing slopes if we get more sun than expected.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of new snow may have buried the previously variable snow surface which may have included wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.
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.