Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 24th, 2012 10:32AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Storm Slabs.

mpeter, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Expect an unsettled day, with winds turning northeasterly and some isolated flurries. Temperatures could climb to -10. Sunday & Monday: Mostly clear skies with light northerly winds and cold temperatures. Clouds will begin to build late in the day on Monday as the next system arrives.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanches up to size 3.0 and rider tiggered up to size 2.0 have been reported in the past 24 hrs.

Snowpack Summary

Generally, up to 45 cm of new snow sits over a strong melt freeze crust that exists below 1000m on all aspects, and over wind-pressed powder on shaded alpine features. Facets and spotty surface hoar have been found sandwiched between the newer snow and the old surfaces at treeline and below. This surface hoar is not completely widespread, but is responsible for much of the recent activity. In deeper areas or areas with a bit more wind loading, it is buried by as much as 70cm. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong. Check out our Forecaster's Blog for some insight on incremental loading.A Special Avalanche Warning has been issued for the North Coast and Interior regions of BC. Click on the link above for more information.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate winds and new snowfall will create new and reactive wind slabs on lee terrain. The winds have changed and are blowing from the SE yielding more widespread wind effect.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Storm Slabs

This new snow may create touchy storm slabs that sit on a variety of buried weak layers. The slab that sits on these layers is up to 40cm thick, and growing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Feb 25th, 2012 8:00AM