Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2017 4:40PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

A steady accumulation of snow over the past few days has gradually increased the avalanche danger at upper elevations

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 10-20cm Tuesday night through Wednesday / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1400 m THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1400mFRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1200m

Avalanche Summary

One report of a cornice collapse in the south of the region on Sunday that resulted in a slab avalanche; the size was not reported due to poor visibility. A few isolated thin wind slab avalanches were reported on Monday in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Steady light snowfalls over last week accumulated 30-55cm of heavily wind affected new snow in the region. Freezing levels to 2000m or higher and intermittent sun over the same time period created a variety of crust layers within the upper snowpack at lower elevations and on solar aspects. A thick rain crust forming in Mid-March up to 2100m is down 45-70cm below the surface. In the north of the region, the February persistent weak layers may still be found and are down 100-140cm. They include a buried surface hoar layer as well as a crust/facet layer. In the southern parts of the region, the mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Light new snow amounts combined with moderate to strong southerly winds have been building wind slabs.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Be increasingly cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Recent warm and windy weather has been promoting cornice growth.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposurePay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could potentially trigger deeper weak layers

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2017 2:00PM