Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Feb 10 – 11, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    A developing storm slab sits over a variety of potentially weak surfaces. Triggering is most likely in wind-exposed terrain. With more snow on the way, conservative terrain selection will become critical.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Light snowfall throughout the day becoming heavy through the evening / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceWednesday: Steady snowfall in the early morning becoming light / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceThursday: Moderate snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 400m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported, although observations were limited due to blowing snow.

Snowpack Summary

A developing storm slab overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Strong winds are likely shifting the new snow into stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain. As the new slab develops and gains cohesion, I would expect it to have a poor bond with any of these old surfaces.The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.

Regions covered