Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 25th, 2012–Mar 26th, 2012

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

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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.

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.

Avalanche 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