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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
South Coast Inland.
We have no recent observations, but it looks wet and soggy at lower elevations. The exception is in the alpine where storm slabs and cornices likely pose a serious threat. Please let us know what you're seeing on the MIN!
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
The storm has passed, and now are now transitioning towards a period of pronounced high pressure. The forecast period is marked by cooler temps, very little precipitation and the potential for clearing skies by the weekend.WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Freezing level holding around 1000 m, light variable wind, trace of precipitation possible. THURSDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 800 m, light west/southwest wind, trace of precipitation possible.FRIDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level around 800 m, light west/southwest wind, trace of precipitation possible.SATURDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 600 m, light east/northeast wind, no significant precipitation expected.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches reported. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.
Snowpack Summary
Before the most recent storm, snow depths were around 50 to 90 cm at treeline and alpine elevations. Monday and Tuesday's intense precipitation event probably rain-soaked the existing snowpack up to about 1900 m. Temperatures remained cool on Tuesday above 1900 m, when 15 to 20 cm of snow fell. Moderate to strong south/southwest wind on Monday and Tuesday likely formed storm slabs, cornices, and wind damaged snow in high elevation alpine terrain.
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.