Avalanche forecast

South Coast

Apr 17 – 18, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    New snow may form storm slabs at higher elevations.  Stiffer wind slabs are expected to form in leeward terrain features.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Rain at lower elevations will saturate and destabilize the upper snowpack.  Loose sluffing from steep terrain features is possible, especially from human-triggering.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Unsettled conditions are expected for Friday and Saturday morning before the next storm system arrives on the south coast Saturday afternoon. Precipitation is expected Saturday night and Sunday but there is some uncertainty regarding amounts and timing.Friday: A mix of sun and cloud, light scattered flurries, freezing level am: 1000m pm: 1500m, ridgetop wind: light SW-WSaturday: Precipitation beginning midday 3-6mm, freezing level am: 500-900m pm: 1600-1800m, ridgetop wind: becoming moderate-strong S-SW with storm frontSaturday Night: Precipitation 5-10mm, freezing level: 1200-1400m, ridgetop wind: moderate-strong SWSunday: Precipitation 3-6mm, freezing level am: 1200m pm: 1800m, ridgetop wind: moderate S-SW

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

New snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust which exists on all aspects up to 2000m, and to mountain-top on solar aspects. The recent warmer temperatures have helped to strengthen and settled the upper snowpack, especially on solar aspects. Isolated wind slabs may still exist, although they are most likely gaining strength. Surface hoar growth has been noted on shady slopes at higher elevations, and large sagging cornices are becoming weak with daytime warming. The February crust/facet layer is now deeply buried 150-250 cm below the surface. This layer is mostly inactive at this time, but could re-awaken with extended warming, solar influence and large triggers like cornice fall.

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