Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 1st, 2017 3:00PM

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

rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

The recent storm snow may be reactive at the highest elevations, especially in wind loaded terrain. Extra caution is needed around steep sun exposed slopes when the sun is out.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud is expected on Sunday. Alpine wind is expected to be light to moderate from the north. Freezing levels are forecast to fall to around 800 m Saturday overnight and reach around 1100 m on Sunday afternoon. Mostly sunny conditions are expected on Monday with light alpine wind and freezing levels reaching around 1400 m in the afternoon. A mix of sun and cloud is currently forecast for Tuesday with freezing levels reaching around 1800 m and moderate alpine wind from the south.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported but observations have been very limited. A MIN post from Wednesday describes natural loose wet activity from steep slopes. Click here for more details.On Sunday, solar triggered sluffing is possible on steep sun exposed slopes. Wind slabs may be reactive in high north facing terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowpack observations have been very limited and confidence is low. Freezing levels reached around 1500 m on Saturday with light rain at lower elevations and new snow up high. Sun on Thursday and Friday likely formed a melt-freeze crust on all sun exposed slopes. Dry snow may still exist on the highest north facing slopes in the alpine. Tuesday and Wednesday saw very heavy amounts of precipitation. The freezing level hovered around tree line during that time, however it can be expected that 70-100cm of snow fell at the highest elevations. The new snow would have been redistributed by moderate to strong southwest wind and is sitting on a well settled lower snowpack. Rain below treeline has soaked the snowpack which is expected to be isothermal.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be reactive on shaded north facing terrain at the highest elevations.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Solar triggered loose wet avalanches are possible from steep sun exposed slopes.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2017 2:00PM