Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Jan 27 – 28, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Freezing levels are dropping and some new snow is on the way. Deep persistent slab problems may still exist in isolated areas. Please see blog post for more information.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    4–7
    Deeply buried weak facetted crystals continue to be a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Tuesday: The inversion is forecast to break down overnight, resulting in freezing levels dropping down to about 1500 metres by morning. Light precipitation is expected to start as freezing levels lower, expect 5-7 cm by morning with light to moderate Southwest winds. Expect another 3-5 cm during the day.Wednesday: Continued light precipitation and freezing levels dropping down to valley bottoms as winds shift to Northwest and build to moderate values.Thursday: Chance of a few more cm of snow before the winds shift to the Northeast and become strong as colder air moves into the region.

Avalanche Summary

Some natural ice falls entrained some snow up to size 2.0 in the Bear Pass. Glide slab releases up to size 2.5 were observed in the highway corridor.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast cooler temperatures, cloud, and dropping freezing levels should allow for the surface to re-freeze overnight. New surface hoar has been reported on slopes that are sheltered from the sun at and below treeline. Some very sheltered alpine north aspects are facetting near the surface. A well settled mid and lower snowpack may rest on basal facets, especially in thin snowpack areas at higher elevations.

Regions covered