Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Coast Inland.
Mainly overcast Saturday prior to the next round of precipitation on Saturday night into Sunday.
Confidence
High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY Night: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries, light west and southwest wind, freezing level 1200 m with treeline temperatures -3 C.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries starting in the afternoon, moderate southwest wind, freezing level 1500 m with treeline temperatures 0 C.
SUNDAY: Snow, accumulation 10-20 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing 1200 m with treeline temperatures around -3 C.
MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate northwest wind, freezing level 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -5 C.
Avalanche Summary
Most recent reports are limited to size 1 loose dry and wet from steep terrain facing the sun in the alpine and treeline.
Looking forward, wind slabs may remain triggerable at higher elevations and use caution on sun-exposed slopes if clear skies prevail, which is forecast for the north of the region.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of snow fell ove the last week. All this snow is likely bonding to the snowpack below, but there could be some wind slabs that linger at higher elevations from southwest wind. All this snow sits above a widespread hard crust, with the exception of high north-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.
Remember that cornices along ridgelines are large at this time of year and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow has likely been blown into wind slabs at higher elevations. Carefully assess for wind slabs prior to committing to steep features with high consequence.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Cornices
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines, and have likely grown with the recent snow and wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3