Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 2nd, 2017–Mar 3rd, 2017

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Heavy snowfall and strong winds continue to drive the avalanche danger to HIGH.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Friday: Cloudy with snow amounts 5-10 cm. Ridgetop winds light with strong gusts from the SW. Alpine temperatures near -5 and freezing levels 500 m.Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop winds light from the South and alpine temperatures near -7.Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and possibly a trace of new snow. Ridgtop winds light and alpine temperatures near -8.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, numerous natural slab and loose dry avalanches up to size 2 were reported from across the region. Natural avalanche activity may start to taper off on Friday but avalanche problems remain primed for human triggering through the forecast period.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow 40-100 cm has buried a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar, facets, crusts, stiff wind slab and a melt/ freeze crust below 1600 m. The deeper storm snow amounts exist in the Shames/ Terrace area with less accumulations further North and East. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to these older surfaces. Below this layer, the snowpack is generally settled and strong with the exception in shallow snowpack areas around Bear Pass and Ningunsaw where basal facets remain an ongoing concern.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh storm slabs are reactive and likely have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces. Deeper deposits of wind slab may also exist on leeward slopes and behind terrain features.

Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.Storm slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Stick to simple terrain or small features with limited consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3