Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2012 10:20AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Avalanche danger can change during the course of a day. Avalanche danger will be LOW where there is a hard refrozen surface and may rise, with natural avalanches possible, during periods of warming.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Cloud increasing in the morning and light precipitation starting by evening. Light to moderate SW winds. Freezing level around 1300 m.Monday: Light to moderate convective precipitation. Moderate SW winds. Freezing level around 1200 m. Clearing in the evening.Tuesday: Sunshine in the morning, changing to cloud and light precipitation late in the day. Moderate S winds. Freezing level around 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural glide avalanches were reported this week, in the size 2-3.5 range. Wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were also observed in response to warming from rainfall and sunshine.

Snowpack Summary

Glide cracks have opened up and pose the threat of large, full-depth releases, especially on steep rocky terrain features at low elevations. Recently, a lack of overnight freezing at low elevations has left the snowpack weak and isothermal. Once a good freeze occurs, stability should improve dramatically. Large cornices and ice cliffs pose a threat from above. At this time of year, snowpack stability tends to decrease during times of warming (e.g. on slopes receiving sunshine, during rainfall, in the afternoon and at low elevations). We have limited observations from alpine elevations, but it's always possible that storm slabs or wind slabs will develop as storms come and go.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are most likely during periods of warming from sunshine or rainfall. These can push you around, entrain mass and become surprisingly large.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Wet Slabs

Warm temperatures or rain may continue to weaken the snowpack, leading to full-depth releases. Avoid traveling on or underneath any slopes which sport glide cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 7

Cornices

Large cornices are looming. They are a hazard in themselves and can act as a trigger for avalanches on the slope below.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 6

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2012 9:00AM