Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Apr 4 – 5, 2018Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Give cornices a respectful berth.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Cornices are large and fragile in the north of the region: Give them a wide berth and a lot of respect.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Persistent slabs are most likely to be triggered with a large load like cornice fall; or by a person in a thin or variable-depth snowpack spot.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5
    Snow and wind are expected to build slabs which could be triggered with the weight of a person.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: 10-20 cm snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds. Freezing level near 1500 m.FRIDAY: Light snow. Light southerly winds. Freezing level near 1700 m.SATURDAY: Light to moderate snow. Light winds. Freezing level rising to 1850 m.Weather models disagree on the amount of snow expected this week.

Avalanche Summary

A skier remotely triggered a size 2 slab on a NE aspect at 2100 m on Tuesday. It failed on facets. Watch for new storm slabs and wind slabs forming on Thursday. Storm slabs or cornice fall could potentially step down to a buried weak layer, creating a surprisingly large avalanche. New snow may sluff easily in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow and moderate winds have created touchy slabs in specific terrain. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. New snow overlies various old surfaces including melt freeze crusts on sunny aspects, scoured old hard wind slabs and dry snow.A weak layer consisting of surface hoar, facets or a sun crust buried in late March is now down about 60-80 cm. This is patchy in its distribution, but is mostly likely to be problematic on shady aspects between 1900m and 2250m. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.

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