Avalanche Forecast

South Coast Inland

Date issued

Feb 24, 2018 - 4:22 PM

Valid until

Feb 25, 2018 - 2:00 PM

Prepared by

mconlan

Storm slabs have formed with recent snowfall. Expect them on all aspects with thicker slabs in lee features, loose dry snow in sheltered areas, and looming cornices on ridgelines. Treat the hazard higher if you see more snow than forecasted.

Regular season
Saturday - February 24, 2018
Alpine

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Below Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Sunday - February 25, 2018
Alpine

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Below Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Monday - February 26, 2018
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Storm slabs have formed with new snow and strong winds. These slabs may not bond well to underlying surfaces.  Thicker slabs are expected around Coquihalla and Manning. Stick to low-angled, sheltered terrain and give the snow time to stabilize.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Watch for signs of instability, such as avalanche activity, whumpfs, and shooting cracks.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Avalanche Summary

Cornices were triggered by explosives in the north of the region on Saturday, which produced up to size 2 avalanches.

Expect natural and human-triggered avalanche activity to increase with the recent snowfall and strong winds.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of storm snow fell Friday night and another 15 to 30 cm is forecasted Saturday night into Sunday. These storms have had strong westerly winds associated with them. Expect touchy storm slabs on all aspects with thicker slabs in lee features. All of this snow fell on previously wind-affected surfaces. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces and could be reactive to both natural and human triggers.

In the southern parts of the region, a widespread crust exists around 40 to 80 cm deep. Well-consolidated snow exists below the crust.

Also make note of cornices at ridgeline. Variable winds in the past month have produced cornices on all aspects. They will become touchier as they grow in size, as temperatures rise, and as the sun packs a strong punch on clear days. Stand well back of them and avoid them from below!

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, strong southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with intermittent snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm in the south of the region, light to moderate westerly winds, alpine temperature -13 C, freezing level near 500 m.

MONDAY: Partly cloudy, light westerly winds, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level 700 m.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, light to moderate westerly winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level 800 m.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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