Avalanche Forecast
South Coast Inland
Storm slabs 20 to 40 cm in depth may remain problematic Monday. Choose wind sheltered terrain features while minimizing exposure to both cornices and overhead avalanche paths, the late winter sun packs a punch and could initiate natural avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
Avalanche Problem 2: Cornices
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Large cornices have formed along ridgelines. Cornices are inherently unstable, unpredictable, and demand respect, especially if the sun is shining.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Watch out for overhead hazards, such as cornices, which could trigger slabs on slopes below.
Avalanche Summary
Small wind slabs failed naturally and were human triggered Saturday to size 1 on south and southeast facing features between 1750 and 1900 m.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of storm snow fell Friday night and another 12 to 25 cm fell Saturday night into Sunday. The successive storms were accompanied by strong winds out of the south, southwest, west and northwest. Wind stiffened storm slabs will likely be found in upper elevation terrain and this snow may not be bonding well to the old surface. In the southern portion of the region a widespread crust is down 40 to 80 cm below the surface. Well-consolidated snow exists below the crust.
Variable winds in the past month have created cornices on all aspects in the alpine. They will become touchier as they grow in size, as temperatures rise, and as the sun shines down upon them on clear days.
Weather Forecast
The work week kicks off with a rather disorganized pattern that is not expected to generate any significant snowfall, but a significant change looks to be in store as a vigorous low approaches the South Coast Inland region Wednesday evening.
MONDAY: A few clouds, freezing level around 700 m, light west/northwest wind, no significant snowfall expected.
TUESDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 900 m, moderate to strong west wind, trace of snow possible.
WEDNESDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 900 m, potentially strong to extreme south/southwest wind, copious amounts of precipitation possible, but the latest model run shows about 10 cm of snow. Stay tuned for more details.
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Recent new snow and wind have formed storm slabs that may not be bonding well to the underlying surface. Thicker slabs are expected around Coquihalla and Manning. Clearing skies Monday may induce a round of natural avalanche activity.