Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Feb 19 – 20, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–5
    Large avalanches are still running naturally and remote triggers are being reported.  It's not necessary to be on a big slope to trigger it, triggering may be accomplished by reasonable proximity to the slope. Time to scale back plans for big rides.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

A fast moving  frontal wave will move onto the coast late today. It should move quickly across the province and be out of the area by Thursday morning. Another Pacific disturbance may bring light precipitation, then  weather begins to dry out and cool off.Wednesday evening: Mostly cloudy, light locally moderate snowfall, some parts of the forecast area may receive 10-15cm of snow, freezing level at valley bottom overnight, ridge top winds 20-30km/h SW-WThursday: Freezing level at or near valley bottom. Snowfall amounts, 5-10cm, ridge top winds from the W-NW 30-50km/h Friday: Freezing level around 100m. Nil to trace precipitation in the forecast for Friday.

Avalanche Summary

We are still seeing reports of large reports of size 2 and 3 natural avalanches, as well as skier remote avalanches up to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

Parts of the forecast region have received over 1.75m of cumulative storm snow which has now settled into a slab with a typical thickness of 60-90cm. This storm slab overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard wind press, or any combination of these. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests show easy, sudden collapse within the storm slab.  This storm slab problem will be with us for a long time as it is sitting on a large weak layer . Even when the ``whumping``stops,..it will still be dangerous, with potential for large, destructive avalanches.

Regions covered