Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Mar 28 – 29, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Areas with poor overnight refreeze will be quickest to break down and become prone to loose wet avalanches with daytime warming and strong sun.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure. Avoid overhead exposure to cornices an give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Areas that have poor overnight crust recovery will break down quickly and become prone to loose wet avalanches with daytime warming.

    Keep in mind, that wet loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Most avalanche activity this week has been limited to small (size 1) wet loose. However, a couple of larger wet avalanches have been reported in the south of the region. On Monday south of Terrace, a size 2.5 wet slab was reported out of a steep, rocky start zone on a northwest aspect around treeline. On Sunday, a rockfall-triggered size 2.5 wet loose avalanche was observed on a southwest aspect in the alpine.

A few natural cornice failures have been observed, and did not trigger slabs on slopes below.

Snowpack Summary

A crust exists on the surface on all aspects below 1800 m and on steep south facing slopes above. Dry snow can be found on shady aspects, wind-affected or well-settled.

The lower snowpack is well consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Scattered cloud. Light to moderate northeast wind. Alpine low -4 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. Light northwest wind. Alpine high 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Increasing cloud. Wind increasing to moderate southwest. Alpine high -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

5-10 cm new snow. Strong southwest wind. Alpine high -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.

Regions covered