Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Apr 17 – 18, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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 - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

We're looking at unsettled and variably wet spring weather throughout the forecast period. TUESDAY: Wet snow Monday overnight through Tuesday (5-15cm by Tuesday afternoon). Freezing level around 1700 m. Winds moderate southwesterly.WEDNESDAY: More wet snow (5-10cm) above 1500m. Winds strong southerly.THURSDAY: Flurries continue (5-10cm) with snow above 1600m. Winds 20-30 km/h from the southwest.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a Size 1 loose wet avalanche was reported on a northeast aspect in the alpine in the Duffey zone. See here for the MIN report.

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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