Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Mar 30 – 31, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Warm temperatures combined with potential extended periods of sunshine may increase avalanche danger as the day progresses on Friday

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New snow accumulations combined with moderate southerly winds have been building wind slabs.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Recent warm and windy weather has been promoting cornice growth.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1400mSATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries in the north. Flurries in the south, accumulation 5-10cm / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1200mSUNDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300m

Avalanche Summary

Several thin wind and storm slab avalanches to size 1.5 in steep lee terrain were reported on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Steady light snowfalls over the last week have accumulated 40-60cm of new snow in the region. Freezing levels to 2000m or higher and intermittent sun over the same time period created a variety of thin crust layers within the upper snowpack at lower elevations and on solar aspects. A thick rain crust forming in Mid-March up to the 2100m elevation is down 50-80cm below the surface. In the north of the region, the February persistent weak layers may still be found and are down 100-140cm. They include a buried surface hoar layer as well as a crust/facet layer. In the southern parts of the region, the mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.

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