Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–3
New snow and intensifying winds late Saturday are likely to create new windslabs in exposed terrain.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapNorthwest Coastal
Mar 9 – 10, 2013Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 14 years ago
Avalanche danger
Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
Avalanche problems
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Overnight and Sunday: Light snowfall Saturday night easing to very light by Sunday / Moderate west winds / Freezing level at 500mMonday: Broken cloud / Moderate west winds / Freezing level at 600mTuesday: Trace amounts of new snow / Light northeast winds / Freezing level at 300m
Avalanche Summary
In recent days cornice falls to size 3 have been reported from various parts of the region, which likely occurred in response to strong daily temperature fluctuations. With forecast cooling, wind, and snowfall on Saturday, I would expect a shift to new wind slab instabilities.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface consists of heavily wind-affected snow in exposed areas, facets or surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust at lower elevations or on previously sun-exposed slopes. Watch out for cornices, as they are large and potentially fragile. The mid snowpack layers are generally well settled and strong. Facets at the base of the snowpack may resurface as a concern now that spring warming is on the doorstep and full-depth releases are becoming more likely (primarily in the northern part of the region).