Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 22nd, 2017 3:37PM

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

cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Winter still hasn't loosened its grip at higher elevations. Conditions remain dynamic as yet another storm rolls through the region.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Periods of snow bringing 15-25 cm of new snow to higher elevations. Moderate to strong southwest winds.Sunday: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing approximately 5 cm of new snow. Light south winds. Freezing level to 1400 metres with alpine temperatures of -4.Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Light southeast winds. Freezing level to 1700 metres with alpine temperatures of -3.Tuesday: Cloudy with flurries bringing 10-15 cm of new snow to higher elevations. Moderate south winds. Freezing level to 1600 metres with alpine temperatures of -4.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but there have been limited observations lately.Please enter your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN). See here for details.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate snowfall and winds will form fresh storm slabs on the surface at higher elevations over Saturday night. Below the new snow, Friday's warm temperatures and sunshine moistened surface snow on most aspects and elevations. New snow will form a variable bond with this surface, with a weaker bond expected at higher elevations and northerly aspects where a surface crust may have formed in advance of new snow accumulations. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and strong.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh storm slabs will form at higher elevations over Saturday night as another storm rolls through with moderate snowfall and southwest winds. Slab thickness and reactivity are likely to increase with elevation.

Be especially careful with wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Moist new snow at lower elevations will have the tendency to sluff from steep slopes on Sunday. This may occur naturally or with a human trigger.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Where cornices exist, they have become unstable should be avoided. Cornices will gain fragile new growth with Saturday night's snowfall.

Avoid traveling on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2017 2:00PM