Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Apr 16 – 17, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–6
    New wind slabs may develop with forecast snow and wind. Be alert for these behind ridges and terrain breaks.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–6
    Loose wet avalanches are most likely during periods of warming from rainfall or sunshine. These can push you around, entrain mass and become surprisingly large.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–7
    Warm temperatures or rain may continue to weaken the snowpack, leading to full-depth releases. Avoid traveling on or underneath any slopes which sport glide cracks.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Overcast with sunny breaks and the possibility of very light precipitation. Light southerly winds and 1200m freezing level. WEDNESDAY: Light precipitation possible throughout the day with a weak ridge of high pressure bringing drier conditions in the PM. Winds moderate from the southwest and 1200m freezing levels. THURSDAY: Mostly drier conditions. Freezing levels 1200m.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural glide avalanches were reported this week, in the size 2-3.5 range. Wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were also observed in response to warming from rainfall and sunshine.

Snowpack Summary

Glide cracks have opened up and pose the threat of large, full-depth releases, especially on steep rocky terrain features at low elevations. Large cornices and ice cliffs pose a threat from above. At this time of year, snowpack stability tends to decrease during times of warming (e.g. on slopes receiving sunshine, during rainfall, in the afternoon and at low elevations) and improve when the surface is frozen. Lately, a lack of consistent overnight freezing has left the snowpack weak and unconsolidated, although some re-freezing has been reported in some areas.

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