Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Coastal.
A bit of new snow has introduced manageable wind slab and wet loose hazards in the areas it fell. Avalanche activity is unlikely where it didn't.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with diminishing flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate to strong south winds, easing into the morning.
WEDNESDAY: Clearing. Light to moderate east winds. Treeline high temperatures around 0.
THURSDAY: Mainly sunny. Light east winds shifting southwest. Treeline high temperatures around 0.
FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with cloud increasing. Light southwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around 0.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Monday. 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
Light new snow amounts from Monday night through Tuesday have mainly buried heavily wind-affected surfaces in open areas, the product of strong outflow wind early last week. In sheltered areas, the flurries may have added to limited stashes of soft, potentially faceted snow. After daytime warming and a subsequent freeze on Wednesday, it will add to the growing tally of crusts 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 unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
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
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches, likely quite small, will be possible on steep, sun-exposed slopes in the afternoon. Manage your exposure to steep solar slopes with new snow on them if the surface becomes moist or wet.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Wind Slabs
Light new snow amounts and elevated, shifting winds have likely formed isolated, small new wind slabs on a range of aspects in exposed areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5