Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Feb 9, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

When the snow first turns to rain a widespread natural avalanche cycle will likely ensue for a short period of time.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Thursday's storm is starting cold and ending warm. This creates a dangerous condition where warmer heavy snow is sitting on-top colder snow, making storm slab avalanches much more likely.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely - Certain
    Size
    1–2
    When the snow first turns to rain a widespread natural avalanche cycle will likely ensue for a short period of time.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    When the snow first turns to rain a widespread natural avalanche cycle will likely ensue for a short period of time.

Snowpack Summary

50-80 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a knife hard crust. The bond to this crust is slowly gaining strength according to recent reports. The mid and lower snowpack are settled and well bonded with the average snowpack depth at treeline 250-300 cm.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: 25-30 mm water / Strong, southwesterly winds/ Freezing level rising to 2000 m by Thursday morning.Thursday: 35-40 mm rain / Strong to extreme, southwesterly winds / Freezing level around 2000 m.Friday: 10-15 mm rain / Moderate to strong, southwesterly winds / Freezing level dropping to around 800 m.Saturday: Mostly cloudy / Moderate, southwesterly winds/ Freezing level around 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

The rain on snow event that is forecast for early Thursday morning is expected to trigger a widespread natural avalanche cycle for a short period of time at treeline and below. In the alpine, where the precipitation is forecast to fall as snow, danger is expected to remain High throughout the day.

Regions covered