Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Apr 5 – 6, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Cornices have the potential to trigger avalanches on the slopes below. Be alert to changes with elevation.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Strong winds and light amounts of snow have likely left wind slabs in the lee of exposed terrain. Most slabs avalanches in the past week have been triggered by cornices.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, light southeast wind, freezing level up to 1300 m after an overnight freeze.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy, moderate southeast wind, freezing level up to 1300 m after an overnight freeze.SATURDAY: 10 cm of new snow, light southeast wind, freezing level around 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1-2 wind slabs were triggered by cornice falls in the Howsons earlier this week. No other new avalanches have been reported in the region since last week, when 2 cornice triggered size 2.5 slabs were reported in the Microwave area.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds with light amounts of snow formed fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain on Wednesday. Elevations below about 1200 m are experiencing a daily melt-freeze cycle. Hard crusts form overnight and become moist during the heat of the day. Hard crusts may be found at higher elevations, particularly on slopes that were sun-exposed. The February crust and facet layer is 75-90 cm deep in the Houston Telkwas sled area and the deep persistent weak facet layer is still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack.

Regions covered