Avalanche Forecast
South Coast Inland
Snow mixed with rain or wet flurries and strong winds are expected for the forecast period. The new snow will form touchy storm slabs, particularly on leeward, wind-loaded slopes. Watch for wet snow at lower elevations that receive rain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind or rain.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday there was a report of a skier triggered size 2.5 slab avalanche in the northern part of the region that initiated as a 30 cm thick wind slab then stepped down to approximately 70 cm thick (likely the mid December layer) on a north-east aspect at 2050 m.
Snowpack Summary
Recent warm weather has made the surface moist, especially at upper elevations. Below the moist surface, about 30-50 cm snow overlies a 1 cm thick crust that was buried on January 6. This crust exists up to about 2000m.
Mid and lower snowpack layers including the mid December and late November crust layers have produced moderate to hard, sudden results in snowpack tests in the northern part of the region last week and may be a concern for step-down potential.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 10-20 cm. Ridge wind strong, southwest. Temperature near 0. Freezing level lowering to 1000 m.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy, snow. Accumulation 15-20 cm. Ridge wind strong, south. Temperature 2. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.
THURSDAY: Cloudy, snow. Accumulation 10-25 cm. Ridge wind strong, southwest. Temperature near 0. Freezing level 1400 m.
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Loading from new snow and strong winds will build storm slabs on leeward aspects and exposed treeline areas near ridge crests. In northern parts of the region it may still be possible for a surface release to step down to a deeper layer.