Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Mar 27 – 28, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Keep an eye on the snow surface, as it gets moist from warming and solar input the size and likelihood of wet loose avalanches will increase.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Wind slabs can still be found in alpine terrain. 

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Limit exposure to cornices. Cornice falls can trigger large avalanches on the slopes below. The likelihood of natural cornice falls could increase with solar input and warming.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wet loose avalanches will likely occur on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain. Size and sensitivity to triggering could increase throughout the day.

    Glide slab avalanches up to size two have been observed in the region at lower elevations. Be aware of the potential for this type of avalanche on steep terrain at lower elevations.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: No new snow expected. Possibility of temperature inversion with temps around -1 at 1500 m. Light northerly winds.

Monday: Sunny with no new snow expected and light west winds. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with light flurries in the evening bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light to moderate south winds and freezing levels rising to 1600 m.

Wednesday: Cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds. Freezing level around 1100 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 were observed throughout the region on solar aspects and lower elevation terrain. 2 size two natural glide slab avalanches were also observed around 1000 m.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slab could still be found on north and east facing terrain in the alpine. A crust can be found at or near the surface on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain. Moist snow will likely be observed at lower elevations and solar aspects as the freezing level rises and the sun comes out.

A weak layer of surface hoar from mid March buried 70-120 cm deep can still be found but is considered dormant at this time.

Terrain and Travel

  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Regions covered