Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Coastal.
Steady, light snowfall and bouts of elevated wind may be just enough to form new wind slabs to manage on Tuesday, particularly in coastal areas. Monitor new snow amounts and reactivity as you gain elevation.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing about 5 cm of new snow. Moderate east or northeast winds.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringin new snow totals to 10-20 cm, continuing overnight. Light east winds becoming strong south in the afternoon. Treeline high temperatures around -3.
WEDNESDAY: Clearing with another 5cm of new snow from the overnight period. Light to moderate east winds. Treeline high temperatures around 0.
THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy. Light east winds shifting southwest. Treeline high temperatures around 0.
Avalanche Summary
Sunday's reports included one observation of a large (size 2.5) natural cornice fall northwest of Terrace, a great reminder of continuously looming cornice hazards. Late in the afternoon, wet loose releases reaching size 2.5 (large) were observed on steep south aspects in the Icy Pass area.Â
Saturday's reports included observations of an older natural size 3 (very large) wind slab as well as pinwheeling and minor point releases from steep solar terrain.
On Thursday, a vary large (size 3.5) natural cornice failure triggered a deep slab on the steep slope below which ran full path.
Numerous natural wind slabs (size 1.5-3) were observed in the alpine on Monday through Wednesday last week as a result of northeasterly outflow winds.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of new snow (focused south and west) is expected to accumulate by end of day Tuesday, mainly burying heavily wind-affected surfaces in open areas, the product of strong outflow wind early last week. Some sheltered areas may still hold soft snow that our flurries will add to. The new snow will likely bury melt-freeze crust on solar aspects.
Below 1200 m, a widespread crust exists on the surface. Above 1200 m, 40 to 80 cm of settled storm snow rests on a hard melt-freeze crust from late March. The snow has been bonding to this crust.
Terrain and Travel
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Avalanche Problems
Cornices
Cornices are large this time of year and were likely weakened by recent cold temperatures. Exposure to cornices should be minimized, especially during periods of warm temperatures or strong sun. Give them a wide berth when you are travelling on ridge lines and avoid overhead exposure to large cornices.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Light new snow amounts and elevated, shifting winds may form small new wind slabs to manage in exposed terrain on Tuesday.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5