Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Coastal.
A bit of fresh snow and continued wind out of the south is expected to add to our wind slab problem. Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Trace of snow possible, light northeast wind, freezing level at valley bottom.
MONDAY: A few clouds at dawn with cloud cover increasing to broken after lunch, potential for up to 5 cm of snow above 1000 m in the afternoon, moderate south wind, freezing level beginning at valley bottom, rising to around 1000 m in the afternoon.Â
TUESDAY: Broken cloud cover, no significant precipitation expected, strong east/northeast wind, freezing level holding near valley bottom.
WEDNESDAY: Broken cloud cover, no significant precipitation expected, moderate northeast wind, freezing beginning at valley bottom rising to about 700 m in the afternoon.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity on Saturday was limited to loose wet avalanches to size 2 in extreme south facing alpine terrain.Â
Loose dry avalanches ran naturally on Friday to size 3, which is a pretty impressive. Thin wind slabs up to size 2 also failed naturally and were sensitive to human triggering on Friday. At lower elevations, loose wet avalanches ran naturally to size 2.
Observations were a bit thin on Thursday, but this MIN sums it up very well. Up to 50 cm of new snow producing audible avalanches in big terrain, and smaller storm slabs in more moderate terrain.
Snowpack Summary
It's been a snowy and cold spring. Above 1200 m, 80 to 120 cm of well settled storm snow rests on a hard melt freeze crust from late March. That interface has not produced any recent activity. We're seeing a nice consistent overnight re-freeze of the snowpack at this time.
Note that cornices are very large and exposure to them should be minimized, especially during warm or windy weather.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
We're expecting a bit of fresh snow Monday with continued moderate wind out of the south. Watch for fresh wind slabs which could be surprisingly deep, especially in terrain near ridge crest.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Although temperatures remain seasonally cool, the sun packs a lot of punch this time of year. Take care to avoid being on or underneath south facing slopes that are baking in the sun, especially after lunch.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2