Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Mar 5 – 6, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

New snowfall amounts are expected to vary greatly across the region. Pay close attention to how much snow falls in your riding area as this will affect your local Avalanche Danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    New snow and wind have create fresh wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. Watch for triggering in the lee of ridgecrests and terrain breaks.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

On Sunday expect 5-10cm of new snow with another 5cm falling on Sunday night. A mix of sun and cloud is forecast for Monday and Tuesday. Winds should remain mainly light to moderate from the south. Freezing levels should sit at about 1200m on Sunday, and then drop to about 1000m for Monday and Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, several newly formed wind slabs to size 1.5 were ski cut in steep, higher elevation terrain. No other avalanches were reported.

Snowpack Summary

On Friday and Friday night, 10-20cm of new snow fell with the highest accumulations occurring in the south of the region. Strong winds shifted the new snow into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. An older crust buried in early February can now be found around 50-100cm below the surface. This crust, which may coexist with small facets or decomposing surface hoar, is still producing sudden planar results in tests. Although no recent avalanches were reported to have failed at this interface, I'd remain suspicious of this layer in steep, unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine.The mid pack is generally well settled and strong.

Regions covered