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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 24th, 2018–Feb 25th, 2018

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Ongoing snow and wind are expected to cause a rise in avalanche activity.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: 15-20 cm snow. Strong west to south-westerly winds.SUNDAY: 5-10 cm snow. Freezing level near 400 m. Moderate to strong westerly winds. MONDAY: 5-10 cm snow during the day, with a further 15-20 cm overnight. Freezing level near 400 m. Strong south-westerly winds.TUESDAY: Around 10 cm snow. Freezing level near 400 m. Strong westerly winds.More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

The beginnings of a natural avalanche cycle were reported on Friday, with loose avalanches in steep terrain and wind slabs to size 2 failing naturally.Ongoing snow and wind are expected to cause a rise in avalanche activity throughout the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Snow and wind over the weekend are building storm slabs and wind slabs in open terrain at alpine and treeline elevations. Storm snow is sluffing readily in steep terrain. New snow has buried old hard wind slabs, scoured surfaces and sastrugi in many exposed areas. In wind-sheltered terrain, sun crusts or dry facets sit below the recent storm snow.In the upper pack is an interface of sun crusts, facets and spotty surface hoar (which is most prevalent in sheltered treed locations). Deeper in the snowpack, around 50-150 cm down, you'll find a crust/surface hoar layer, which still has the chance to surprise you and could be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like cornice fall.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.