Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Dec 28 – 29, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Watch for wind slabs lurking in unusual places as the winds have been shifting direction.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Strong outflow winds are expected to redistribute recent snow onto lee slopes behind ridges and ribs. Be alert for breakable, drummy or punchy snow conditions which may indicate wind slabs.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Cold and dry with strong N-E outflow winds. A temperature inversion may form on Wednesday.

Avalanche Summary

Over the last few days we've had reports of naturally and skier-triggered size 1-2 slabs, mostly wind slabs on lee slopes at treeline and above. Explosive control with a cornice drop on Saturday produced a size 2.5 storm slab on a north-facing slope at 1400 m.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm new snow from Friday night is likely to form new wind slabs on south through to west-facing slopes as the winds shift into an outflow pattern. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled. Several old crust layers exist but these appear to be well bonded.

Regions covered