Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Mar 2, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Incoming snow, wind, and warming temperatures will increase avalanche hazard over the next several days.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Fresh storm slabs are expected to be highly sensitive to triggering and particularly deep and touchy on wind-loaded slopes.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Continued snow with another 20 to 30 cm by evening, or more for the North Shore, accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds. Temperatures slightly warmer with freezing level peaking around 1000 m.FRIDAY: Still snowing with another 15 to 25 cm by Friday evening with continued strong SW winds. Temperatures cooling slightly with freezing level falling to 700 m.SATURDAY: Even more snow with another 10-15cm expected by the afternoon. Freezing levels hovering around 700 m and winds easing to light southerlies.

Avalanche Summary

Only small sluffing reported. With an incoming storm forecast the potential for slab avalanches (wind slab and storm slabs) will increase.

Snowpack Summary

Another 10-25cm of fresh snow adds to the 15-20 cm of recent snow, sitting on a mix of sun crust on southerly aspects and surface hoar on shaded aspects with bonds beginning to strengthen. However, southwesterly winds have likely deposited deep and touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. The widespread 20 cm thick mid-February rain crust, is now down around 50-60 cm at higher elevations. Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled and strong.

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