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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2021–Apr 6th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast.

Wind slabs may still be encountered up high, especially in the central and northern parts of the region. Minimize your exposure to cornices during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Monday night - Clear periods / moderate northwest wind / alpine low temperature near -2 / freezing level 1200 m 

Tuesday - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 1500 m 

Wednesday - Snow, 25 cm / strong southwest wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 1000 m 

Thursday - A mix of sun and cloud / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1000 m 

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received any observations for the South Coast region in the past few days. If you get out, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network to help us know what conditions are like.

Snowpack Summary

Over the weekend, the South Coast received 15 to 25 cm of snow in the central/north of the region, and 5 cm along the North Shore, all above 1400 m. The snow fell with southwest wind, so wind slabs may still exist in lee terrain features at high elevations. The new snow fell onto a hard melt-freeze crust so it could take a few days to bond to it. The snow surface has likely melted and frozen into a crust on sun-exposed aspects. 

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.

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.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.