Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 3rd, 2012 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Continued light snowfall tapering off throughout the day, with freezing levels around 1000m, and moderate southerly winds. Thursday and Friday: A ridge of high pressure is expected to become anchored over the Pacific with dry conditions, light northerly winds, and daytime freezing levels around 500m.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Monday include one relatively harmless but surprisingly deep (30-60cm) ski-cut wind slab on a steep rollover. Natural wind slab activity likely occurred Monday afternoon with strong to extreme southeasterly winds.

Snowpack Summary

15-40cm of new snow is bonding poorly to the previous snow surface, which includes surface hoar and/or a melt-freeze crust. Expect slabs to be particularly deep and touchy on wind-loaded slopes. Cornices are also very large and potentially unstable.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Thick fresh wind slabs are highly sensitive to human triggers and cornice falls. Expect to encounter them well below ridgecrests, behind terrain features, and in gullies.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices are very large and unstable. Not only are they a hazard in themselves, but can also act as a heavy trigger for large avalanches on the slope below.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 4th, 2012 9:00AM