Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Apr 16 – 17, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Wind slabs and cornices are the main concerns right now. Carefully assess terrain before committing to bigger lines.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Shifting wind directions created wind slabs on a variety of aspects, primarily in the alpine.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Recent snow and wind have created large cornices. Minimize your exposure to cornices when it is cold and cloudy and completely avoid them when it is warm and/or sunny.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

We're back to wet spring weather on Monday, and continuing throughout the forecast period. MONDAY: Rain (5-10mm) falling mostly after noon, with wet snow (5-10cm) above 1500m. Winds 20-30 km/h from the south.TUESDAY: Wet snow or rain (10-15mm / cm). Freezing level around 1700 m. Winds moderate southwesterly.WEDNESDAY: Rain (5-10mm) up to 1700m. Winds strong southerly.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, isolated small stiff wind slabs were reported on convex alpine features in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Relatively light amounts of recent snow (10-20 cm in the past several days) resulted in isolated stiff wind slabs in the immediate lee of exposed terrain features at treeline and above. Dry snow can still be found on north aspects above 1900m; however, moist (or crusty) snow can be found on all south-facing slopes at all elevations.Cornices remain large in some areas and could trigger large avalanches when they fail (especially when warmed by the sun). The fatal accident near Lions Bay a week ago illustrates the danger of cornices breaking off, and the large avalanches they can trigger.

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