Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Coastal.
Confidence
Fair - Freezing levels are uncertainfor the entire period
Weather Forecast
Heavy precipitation and strong southerly winds are forecast for late sunday and into monday morning. Continued moderate precipitation will follow throughout monday and tuesday with moderate to strong southwest winds.Freezing levels are uncertain for the forecast period; some models showing freezing levels at 650m while other show freezing levels shooting to 1500m. Stay tuned for more info.
Avalanche Summary
Wind slabs and cornice releases dominated recent avalanche observations. Size 2 natural slab activity triggered by cornice fall and numerous skier-triggered size 1 slabs reported in the northern part of the region.Numerous natural size 2 slabs reported in the Skeena area.
Snowpack Summary
A relentless pummelling by snow, strong to extreme winds, and fluctuating freezing levels over the past week has added around 130cm of new snow near Terrace and around 75cm near Stewart. Strong south to southwest winds have created hard and soft wind slabs on lee slopes. Large sensitive cornices also exist.Deeper in the snowpack, buried surface hoar and a crust-facet combo (which extends up to alpine elevations in the south and to 1000m in the north) remain a cause for concern, with the potential for deep, destructive avalanches. Recent observations suggest these layers may be gaining strength; however, I wouldn't write them off just yet.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 5
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 5
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 6