Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 17th, 2016 8:28AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.

pmarshall, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Avalanche danger will rise on solar aspects during the day. Hunt for good dry snow and lower hazard on the north side of the mountain!

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Mainly sunny. The freezing level jumps to around 1600-1800 m and ridge winds are light to moderate from the east-southeast. SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is around 1800-2100 m and winds remain light. SUNDAY: Light to moderate snow or rain with freezing levels near 1800-2100 m and light ridge winds.

Avalanche Summary

Cornices continue to pop off with regularity. Some are triggering slabs below and others are not. In the north of the region on Sunday, a cornice collapse triggered a size 3.5 deep slab avalanche which failed on glacier ice. A second size 3.5 deep persistent slab was observed nearby on Tuesday likely occurring around the same time. Forecast sunshine and warming will likely increase cornice activity and cause loose wet snow to continue shedding from steep sun exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Light to moderate outflow winds (from the north) may have reverse loaded slopes near ridge crests creating touchy pockets of wind slab on southerly aspects.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong. >

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Cornices are reported to be large and weak. Natural cornice releases are possible with sun exposure and warming.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating. >

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Loose Wet

These loose wet sluffs can gain significant mass and have the potential to drag you places you might not want to go.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 18th, 2016 2:00PM