Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Coastal.
Recent snow and strong winds from shifting directions which have formed fresh wind slabs on a variety of aspects at treeline and above. Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain and avoid slopes with large cornices overhead.
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
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SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Strong, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -10 / Freezing level valley bottom.
SUNDAY: Sunny / Moderate, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -1 / Freezing level 800 m.
MONDAY: Sunny / Light, south ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 5 / Freezing level 1500 m.
TUESDAY: Sunny / Moderate, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 8 / Freezing level rapidly rising to 2500 m.
Avalanche Summary
Explosive and machine triggered storm slabs were reported up to size 2.5 in this region on Friday.
Large natural and explosive triggered glide slab avalanche activity has been ongoing for the past few weeks. Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of recent snow has been accompanied by periods of strong winds from shifting directions which have formed fresh wind slabs on a variety of aspects at treeline and above. At lower elevations, the new snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust.
Cornices are large, looming, and capable of triggering large avalanches when they fail.Â
The mid/lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.
Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.
Terrain and Travel
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
20-30 cm. of recent snow has been accompanied by periods of strong winds from shifting directions which have formed fresh wind slabs on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines and have likely grown with the recent wind.
Strong solar radiation and warming are common triggers for cornice failures which could trigger large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches may start to run naturally on steep solar aspects when the sun comes out.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5