Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Apr 9 – 10, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

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.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New snow and moderate southerly winds may have formed thin wind slabs in lee features below ridgetops on Saturday into Sunday.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Large cornices may become weak with daytime warming and have potential to trigger slabs on the slopes below.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather continues throughout the forecast period. MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (2-5cm). Light southeasterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.TUESDAY: Scattered flurries (5-10cm) . Light northerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1200 m.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (2-5cm). Strong easterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new reported on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Small amounts of new snow (up to 8cm) fell on Saturday with light to moderate southerly winds. The new snow will likely be sitting on hard surfaces created by strong winds earlier in the week, or melt-freeze crusts below 1400m. A weak layer of facets and crusts from late February are buried 100-120 cm down. The layer has been unreactive recently and has a variable distribution. That said, rapid warming of the snowpack or a large trigger, such as a cornice, may still have the potential to trigger it.

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