Cornices
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible - Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Cornices are large and fragile.
Recent snow and wind have formed reactive slabs.
A buried weak layer persist and if triggered may result in a large to very large avalanche.
Review this video for persistent slab strategies.
Cornices are large and fragile.
Two crusts, buried in early February (facets on top) and March are still a concern, particularly in the Hurley area and zones to the north. Smaller avalanches or cornice falls have the potential to trigger an avalanche on these layers.
Recent storm snow and southwest winds continue to build reactive slabs. Avalanches are expected be larger and more likely on west through north facing (leeward) slopes.
Throughout the past week, a large (size 2) natural storm slab was reported Thursday near Anderson Lake, with widespread cracking observed near Hurley Pass Wednesday. Earlier in the week, numerous small rider-triggered storm slabs were reported north of Pemberton. Explosive control produced cornice and wind slab avalanches, with one stepping down to a deeper weak layer.
Moderate to strong southwest wind have formed deeper, and more reactive deposits in leeward terrain.
Expect to find, up to 35 to 70 cm of recent storm snow over a widespread, thick and hard crust below about 1800 m, and old wind-affected snow at upper elevations.
Two crusts, buried in early February and March are still a concern, particularly in the Hurley area and zones to the north. Expect to find them around 1-1.5 meters below the snow surface. Of the two, only the early February crust has been reported to have loose, sugary facets on top.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.