Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2012 10:51AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Monday: a mix of sun and cloud - light southerly winds - freezing level at 1100m Tuesday: trace amounts of snowfall - moderate to strong southeast winds - freezing level at 1200m Wednesday: light snowfall - moderate to strong southeast winds - freezing level at 900m

Avalanche Summary

Recently formed windslabs to size 1.5 were ski cut in the North of the region. Natural ice fall triggered a slab 80 to 120cm deep on a northeast aspect at 1600m. I am unaware of the failing interface, but the slope was reportedly unsupported. There were also several large cornice failures in region. None the failures reported triggered avalanches on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong southeast winds have created wind slabs that have now gained considerable strength. Solar aspects are now moist under sunny skies during the day with a good crust recovery developing at night. Surface hoar or facets may exist in some parts of the region of the region between 60 and 120cm deep. There has been no recent activity on these layers but they could wake up with heavy triggers like a large cornice chunk or a snowmobile digging its track in. Cornices in the region are reported to be very large and potentially unstable.

Problems

Cornices

Cornices are reported to be very large and potentially unstable at this time. A cornice fall could be destructive by itself, and may also act as a trigger on the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 6

Wind Slabs

Recently developed wind slabs have gained considerable strength, but may be triggered in steep, isolated terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are likely on steep sun exposed slopes when the sun is shining.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 26th, 2012 9:00AM