Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
South Coast.
Confidence
Fair - Due to limited field observations
Weather Forecast
High pressure is currently dominating the weather throughout the province. Freezing levels rocket to 3000m as an inversion creeps into the region & winds at ridge top are forecasted to be light out of the NW. A weak disturbance moves into the area Tuesday night continuing through Wednesday bringing a small amount of precipitation & lowering freezing levels. The dreaded ridge of high pressure builds back into the area on Thursday.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche observations. We have had limited info from this region. Any field reports are welcome and can be sent to [email protected].
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs probably still exist in lee and crossloaded terrain. Use increased caution on steep, sun-exposed slopes during forecast warming periods.There is a solid rain crust, down 15-30cm below 1800m, which has greatly reduced the likelihood of avalanches at lower elevations.A surface hoar layer has been observed down approximately 45cm in the Duffey Lake area and more is growing on the current snow surface. A facet layer near the base of the snowpack continues to give sudden collapse ("drops") results in snowpack tests. These layers have not produced any avalanches that I am aware of, but it makes sense to keep them on your radar.Continued caution is recommended in shallow, unsupported snowpack areas (lots of rocks or small trees poking through), especially on sun exposed slopes if the sun has any kick.
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.
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.