Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Regions
South Coast.
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
The mild airmass that moved over the region on Saturday will continue to cause alpine temperatures around -3.0 overnight and into Sunday. The storm is focused on the Central Coast around Bella Coola. Inland areas are forecast to only get about 5-10 cm by Sunday noon. The next pulse of moisture looks like it will bring heavier precipitation. Expect about 20-30 cm of snow combined with strong southwest winds on Sunday night. Snow should taper off by Monday morning with a chance of convective flurries Monday afternoon. The freezing level should drop down to valley bottom by Monday as the wind clocks to the northwest. Tuesday morning should be dry and cool with valley temperatures dropping down to about -10.0
Avalanche Summary
Reports of a natural moist avalanche cycle in the Coquihalla up to size 3.0. There is a report of a possible avalanche involvement in the Cerise Creek area. If you have any more information, please email us at [email protected] or fill in an online report at www.avalanche.ca
Snowpack Summary
New windslabs are developing from new snow and strong westerly winds. Observers report moderate shears down 30-40 cm on decomposed and fragmented crystals. There has been about 25 cm in the Coquihalla and less in the Duffey Lake area in the past two days.
Problems
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.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.