Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2017 4:01PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices and Wind Slabs.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Cornices remain the primary concern. Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud isolated flurries. Light southerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light southeasterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light southeasterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday in this region.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow on Saturday with light to moderate southerly winds may have created small wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops. The new snow will likely be sitting on hard surfaces created by strong winds earlier in the week. A weak layer of facets and crusts are buried 100-150 cm down. The layer has been unreactive recently, but rapid warming of the snowpack or a large trigger, such as a cornice, may still have the potential to trigger it.

Problems

Cornices

Large cornices may become weak with daytime warming and have potential to trigger slabs on the slopes below.

Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridges.Avoid steep slopes below cornices.Even small cornice falls may trigger larger avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

New snow and moderate southerly winds may have formed thin wind slabs in lee features below ridgetops on Saturday.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2017 2:00PM