Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Coastal.
Confidence
Good
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure is expected to keep the northwest ranges mainly sunny and dry with light winds throughout the forecast period. Freezing levels are expected to reach 1500m during the day, but drop back down to sea level at night.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Wednesday include wet loose avalanche activity up to Size 2.0 in response to direct sun exposure. Cornices have also been failing over the past couple of days, some of which triggered wind slab avalanches up to Size 2 on the slope below. Large glide avalanche activity also continued on solar aspects.
Snowpack Summary
15-40cm of new snow is settling and faceting, and generally bonding well to the previous predominately crusty snow surface. However, sheltered shady slopes may be harbouring buried surface hoar and/or preserved old storm snow from last week, which isn't as stable. Not only will daytime warming and sun-exposure cause surface snow to lose cohesion and cornices to weaken, they will also increase settlement rates and decrease slab stability.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 4
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 5