Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Apr 3 – 4, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Thick fresh wind slabs are highly sensitive to human triggers and cornice falls. Expect to encounter them well below ridgecrests, behind terrain features, and in gullies.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Cornices are very large and unstable. Not only are they a hazard in themselves, but can also act as a heavy trigger for large avalanches on the slope below.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Monday include one relatively harmless but surprisingly deep (30-60cm) ski-cut wind slab on a steep rollover. Natural wind slab activity likely occurred Monday afternoon with strong to extreme southeasterly winds.

Snowpack Summary

15-40cm of new snow is bonding poorly to the previous snow surface, which includes surface hoar and/or a melt-freeze crust. Expect slabs to be particularly deep and touchy on wind-loaded slopes. Cornices are also very large and potentially unstable.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Continued light snowfall tapering off throughout the day, with freezing levels around 1000m, and moderate southerly winds. Thursday and Friday: A ridge of high pressure is expected to become anchored over the Pacific with dry conditions, light northerly winds, and daytime freezing levels around 500m.

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