Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Feb 11, 2018Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Cooling temperatures have formed a thick crust that extends into the alpine.  At upper alpine elevations pockets of wind slab may exist and will likely be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–1.5
    Wind slabs may have a poor bond to the underlying crust and be reactive at upper alpine elevations. Loose dry avalanches are possible from steep alpine terrain features.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Large cornices have formed and may remain fragile. Cornices are unpredictable and demand respect. Give them a wide berth from above and below, especially during periods of warming temperatures or sun-exposure.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Ridge wind light, north. Temperature -2. Freezing level 700 m.MONDAY: Sunny. Ridge wind light, northwest. Temperature -2. Freezing level 700 m. Alpine inversion.TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, flurries. Accumulation up to 5 cm. Ridge wind light, west. Temperature near 0. Freezing level 600 m. Alpine inversion.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday. However pockets of thin wind slabs may exist in wind-loaded areas in the high alpine and may be sensitive to human triggers.

Snowpack Summary

Rain over the past few days has saturated snow surfaces and only higher alpine elevations were lucky enough to receive a light cover of new snow. With the arrival of cold temperatures, the upper snowpack has locked up as a firm crust. The average snowpack depth at treeline is 300 cm of well settled snow with no significant layers of concern.

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