Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2012 10:04AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Monday: Some clouds developing. Freezing level around 1500 m. Light southerly winds. Tuesday: Light precipitation. Freezing level around 1500 m.Wednesday: Light to moderate precipitation. Freezing level rising to around 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports include wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 in response to direct sun exposure. Cornices have also been failing over the past few days, some of which triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2 on the slope below. Large glide avalanche activity also continued. On Saturday, a size 3 glide release removed trees and left a 4-5 m deposit near Shames. Glide slabs can be unpredictable. Any slopes sporting glide cracks are best avoided.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of a sun crust on solar aspects and at low elevations (becoming moist during the day), surface hoar on shady slopes up into the alpine, and dry settling or faceting snow on high north aspects. Pockets of wind slab are likely in exposed leeward alpine terrain. Sheltered shady slopes may be harboring buried surface hoar and/or preserved old storm snow from last week, which isn't as stable. Daytime warming or sun-exposure may cause surface snow to lose cohesion and cornices to weaken. Glide cracks have opened up, especially on steep rocky terrain features.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are most likely on steep slopes that are being heated by sun or warm temperatures. They can push you around, entrain mass and become dangerously large.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Cornices

Large and weak cornices are a hazard in themselves and can also act as a heavy trigger for very large avalanches on the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Wet Slabs

Glide slabs can be unpredictable. Avoid traveling on or underneath any slopes with glide cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 7

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