Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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 Inland.
As temperatures begin to drop Tuesday night, storm slabs and cornices are expected to develop in the alpine.
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
The system that has brought significant rain and wet snow to the forecast region should offer one last pulse Tuesday night. Wednesday marks the start of what looks to be a pretty significant drying trend as cold air begins to descend from the Arctic. No significant precipitation is expected for the forecast period and it looks like there is potential for clear skies by Sunday.TUESDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1200 m, moderate to strong southwest wind, 1 to 10 cm of snow possible with rain in the valley bottoms.WEDNESDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level holding around 1200 m, moderate southwest wind, trace of precipitation possible.THURSDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 1000 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.FRIDAY: Scattered cloud cover clearing throughout the day, freezing level around 900 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches observed.Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.
Snowpack Summary
Snow depths are around 50 to 90 cm at treeline and alpine elevations, although there may be deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas. Approximately 30 cm of recent snow sits above a layer of surface hoar (north aspects) or a crust (south aspects). All but the highest elevation and/or smoothest slopes are thought to have insufficient snow cover for avalanches to occur at this time.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.