Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Apr 13 – 14, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Snow and strong winds have built deep storm slabs at higher elevations. Continued warm temperatures and solar radiation will likely de-stabilize the new snow and natural avalanches remain possible. Destructive cornices may also fail with warming.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Watch for loose wet avalanches with daytime warming on steep, sun-exposed slopes. Loose wet avalanches can be pushy and entrain mass quickly.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3–7
    Deep persistent avalanches would be very large and highly destructive. Possible triggers include cornice fall, a surface avalanche in motion, warming and intense solar radiation.

Weather Forecast

Monday: Clear skies in the morning with increased cloud and light precipitation possible late in the day / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at about 1700mTuesday: Light to locally moderate snowfall / Moderate southwest winds becoming light and northerly / Freezing level at 1000mWednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northerly winds / Freezing level at 1300m

Avalanche Summary

Although recent observations have been extremely limited, a solar induced natural avalanche to size 3 was reported on Saturday in the north of the region. Loose wet and slab avalanches were noted in this cycle with most activity occurring in steep terrain.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Monday

Snowpack Summary

Last week's storm brought 90+ cm or more to coastal regions forming thick storm slabs on leeward features. Warmer temperatures have helped to settle the recent snow, although the storm snow may continue to be touchy where it overlies surface hoar, crusts and/or facets buried at the beginning of April. Sun exposed slopes and lower elevation terrain is seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle and slopes below treeline are likely isothermal. Large cornices have formed and loom over slopes below.The early February crust/facet layer is down 150 - 240 cm. The weight of the recent storm snow and more recent warming have resulted in very-large avalanches at this interface.

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