Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Apr 20 – 21, 2019Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

The likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase though the day as sun and temperatures warm the snowpack. Lingering wind slabs may lurk around cornices and steep, lee features in the alpine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    New wind slabs have likely formed above 2000 m from recent snow and strong southwest wind. This new snow may remain reactive to skiers, particularly in lee terrain features near ridges.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Sun and warm temperatures may cause the new snow above 2000 m to moisten on sun-exposed slopes, increasing the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level below 1400 m

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1900 m.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 10 cm falling through the day, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2100 m.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature +2 C, freezing level 2100 m

Avalanche Summary

There were no avalanche reports available for the region. The neighbouring Sea To Sky region observed a natural loose wet avalanche cycle during Thursday and Fridays storm. Cornice control work on Friday triggered cornices to size 2 and produced wet slab avalanches to size 2 on the slopes below.

If you have any recent observations during your travels, we would greatly appreciate it if you posted a photo or any other information to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Thanks!

Snowpack Summary

Around 20 mm of precipitation fell as rain below 2000 m and snow above. A crust has developed on most aspects expect for high alpine slopes where up to 10 cm loose dry snow accumulated. Strong south winds have developed cornices and wind slabs. The snowpack below treeline is saturated and rapidly melting.

Regions covered