Avalanche Forecast
Regions: South Coast.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
The current ridge of high pressure will bring clear skies for the forecast period. Ridgetop winds should remain light on Wednesday and Thursday, intensifying to moderate and southwesterly by Friday. An inversion should develop through the period with above-freezing alpine temperatures expected by Thursday.
Avalanche Summary
A few wind slabs up to size 1.5 were triggered by ski-cutting in the north of the region on Sunday. They occurred on a northwest aspect in alpine terrain. With solar radiation and warmer alpine temperatures forecast for the next few days, loose wet avalanches may occur on steep, sun-exposed slopes.
Snowpack Summary
About 10-20cm of low-density snow fell between last Saturday and Monday. In exposed, high elevation terrain, moderate winds may have shifted these accumulations into soft wind slabs in the immediate lee of ridge crests. Due to continued cool temperatures, these wind slabs may take longer than usual to settle and gain strength. Recent field reports suggest deeper snowpack weaknesses have now gained considerable strength, and the mid and lower snowpack are considered to be generally strong and well-settled.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2