Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2015 9:19AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Hazard may increase with daytime warming especially on slopes affected by solar input. Cornice features should be regarded with care.If you have observations to share, please tell us what you've seen here on the mountain information network

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

No precipitation in the forecast for the next few days. Daytime warming will bring freezing levels to around 1300m for the forecast period. Alpine winds are expected to be light from the E-SE.

Avalanche Summary

No recent reports of avalanches have been received

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow varies across the forecast area, with the biggest accumulations near the coast. With warming temperatures the storm snow is bonding slowly to the variety of old snow surfaces including a layer of surface hoar and facets buried on March 25th. This weakness, now down approximately 40 to 60cm has been touchy with a high propensity for propagating fractures. The problems seems more touchy in the northern part of the region, but has been reported throughout the northwest coastal area. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with snowpack tests producing moderate sudden results in the top 20 to 40cm. The early March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down around a metre and appears unreactive with snowpack tests.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The March 25th layer is now buried up to 40 cm down in some areas and still has the ability to produce avalanches that propagate over wide areas.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.>Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Storm Slabs

Recent reports speak to this storm slab being reactive, especially where it may have been redistributed by winds.

Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2015 2:00PM