Avalanche Forecast
South Coast
Expect changing weather on Monday: light precipitation in the morning, increasing freezing levels, and afternoon sun breaks. These will weaken the snow surface over the day. Observe for signs of instability before travelling into avalanche terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Observe for signs of instability, such as cracking and avalanche activity.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind-loaded snow.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices, which could trigger slabs on slopes below.
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Rain in the morning and warming temperatures and sunny patches in the afternoon could rapidly weaken the snow surface. Watch out for terrain traps such as gullies or above cliffs, where small avalanches can build and have severe consequences.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Summary
We have received very little information on avalanche activity for this region. From the little we have heard, it was generally easy to initiate large wet loose avalanche in steep terrain below treeline on the weekend.
We would very much appreciate it if you spend a moment to submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here, even if it is just a photo. Thanks!
Snowpack Summary
Around 40 to 100 mm of rain fell on the snowpack up to around treeline between Thursday and Sunday, with precipitation as snow at alpine elevations and possible at treeline too. In higher terrain, snowfall has created new storm slabs. This snow overlies a thick crust in most areas except for possibly shady aspects in alpine terrain. The snowpack below the crust is generally strong.
Below treeline and possibly treeline elevations, a spring snowpack exists. The rain saturated and weakened the upper snowpack. The wet snow may freeze at higher elevations with cool temperatures. The mid and lower snowpack are strong.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with light precipitation in the morning and afternoon clearing, light southerly winds, treeline temperature 1 C, freezing level 1500 m rising to 2500 m by the late afternoon.
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with afternoon rain, accumulation 20 mm, strong southerly winds, treeline temperature 4 C, freezing level 2600 m dropping to 1500 m over the day.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with light precipitation, accumulation 15 mm rain at lower elevations and 15 cm snow at higher elevations, light southerly winds, treeline temperature 0 C, freezing level 1400 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 URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/south-coast.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 at higher elevations has formed slabs.Observe for the bond of new snow with the old surface before committing into avalanche terrain.