Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 16th, 2017–Apr 17th, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Avalanche danger will increase when the sun is out. Watch for natural cornice falls and loose wet avalanches from steep terrain.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Overnight: Moderate to strong Easterly winds with a couple of cm of new snow and freezing staying above 1000 metres. Monday: Mix of sun and cloud with moderate southeast winds and daytime freezing up to 1400 metres. Tuesday: Cooler with a good overnight freeze to 700 metres; 3-5 cm of new snow during the day with strong southwest winds developing and freezing up to 1000 metres. Wednesday: 5-8 cm of new snow with strong south winds and daytime freezing up to 1200 metres.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity in the south of the region. That being said there is little to no information being passed on from the region recently. Exposure to large overhanging cornices remains a significant concern. As the sun comes out over the weekend expect to see cornices weaken and loose snow avalanches run from steep sun exposed slopes during the warmest parts of the day.

Snowpack Summary

New snow at upper elevations from last week has been redistributed by winds switching from southwest to east and back again. This may be sitting on a variety of old surfaces including hard wind crusts in exposed terrain and sun crusts on solar aspects. At the tree line elevation, warming and refreezing earlier in the week has created melt freeze crusts. Below tree line the surface snow is likely a mix of crusts at the upper end of the elevation band to moist or wet snow throughout the entire thickness of the snowpack at the lower portions of the elevation band.

Avalanche Problems

Cornices

The likelihood of cornices triggering increases with intense sunshine and/or during the warmest parts of the day.

Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridges.Even small cornice falls may trigger larger avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are likely at lower elevations where the snowpack may be isothermal. At higher elevations the loose wet problem is driven by exposure to sun and daytime warming.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2