Avalanche Forecast
South Coast Inland
Recent snowfall with strong winds has produced new slabs at higher elevations. Expect avalanche activity to increase on southerly aspects if the sun comes out.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.
- Observe for the bond of new snow with the old surface before committing into avalanche terrain.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind-loaded snow.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
A weak layer buried 40 to 70 cm is still surprising people and producing large and destructive avalanches. Be particularly cautious around upper treeline and alpine terrain on shady aspects, where this layer is most likely to be a problem.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagation due to the presence of buried weak layers.
- Avoid steep terrain or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices, which could trigger persistent slabs.
Avalanche Problem 3: Cornices
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Cornices are very large and fragile. Give them a large berth when on ridges and avoid travelling underneath them, as they can trigger large avalanches on slopes below.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices, which could trigger persistent slabs.
- Stay well back from cornices.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, a large (size 2.5) persistent slab avalanche was triggered by a cornice on a northeast aspect around 1900 to 2200 m. The slab likely released on the weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary. Other similar large avalanches were observed, as described in this MIN post.
Small to large (size 1 to 2) wind slabs were also reactive to skiers and large loads, generally failing in alpine terrain in immediate lee terrain features. Loose wet avalanches were observed across the region on all aspects to size 1.5.
Snowpack Summary
Around 20 cm of snow and strong southwesterly winds created new slabs at higher elevations. This snow overlies various old surfaces including previous storm snow, melt freeze crusts on sunny aspects, and old wind slabs. On ridges, cornices are reported to be large and fragile. At lower elevations, precipitation fell as rain and created wet snow conditions.
A weak layer consisting of surface hoar, facets, or a sun crust from late March is now buried about 40 to 70 cm. This layer is spotty in its distribution. It is mostly likely to be problematic on shady aspects between 1900 m and 2250 m.
The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, light westerly winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1500 m.
MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, light southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1600 m rising to 2000 m by late afternoon.
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with afternoon precipitation, accumulation 5 mm, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2600 m dropping to 2000 m.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- South Coast Inland URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/south-coast-inland.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Recent snowfall has formed new slabs. Expect thicker slabs in lee features due to strong southerly winds. Slab or loose wet avalanches could release naturally when the sun is out or the air temperature warms.