Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Coastal.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries. Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature -2. Freezing level around 1000 m.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light northeasterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature 1. Freezing level rising to around 1200 m.MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Light northeasterly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature -2. Freezing level around 1000 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Thursday. On Wednesday, a size 2.5 persistent slab avalanche was remotely triggered by a group of skiers on a ridgetop from 10 m away. The avalanche failed on surface hoar about 70 cm deep on a north aspect at 1800 m. A size 2 wet slab was triggered by day-time warming in the same area near Bear Pass.
Snowpack Summary
5-15 cm of recent storm snow and strong variable winds have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.In the south of the region, two layers of surface hoar are buried approximately 70-100 cm deep. The layers are most prominent on north to east aspects and were buried early-March and mid-March. In the north of the region, these layers are around 40 cm deep.Bellow these March layers the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. However, shallower parts of the region, such as the far north, have weak sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2