Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Feb 13 – 14, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Rapid loading from recent snowfall has created touchy slab avalanche conditions, especially in areas exposed to wind. Forecast weather will add to ongoing storm slab instabilities.

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable weather conditions

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Moderate snowfall / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 600mFriday: Moderate snowfall becoming heavy in the afternoon / Extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 800mSaturday: Moderate snowfall / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 500m

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle up to size 3 was reported in response to Tuesday's storm. The most activity appears to have been close to Terrace. Avalanche activity is expected to pick-up again with weather forecast for Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

A big dump of snow brought up to 80cm and an average of about 40cm new to the region on Tuesday. Strong winds have blown the new snow into wind slabs in exposed lee areas. The new snow sits on above previous wind slabs on shady slopes in the alpine and at treeline, and a rain/sun crust at lower elevations/solar aspects, respectively. Deeper buried crusts exist within the snowpack, but are reported to have bonded well. I imagine that after the most recent avalanche cycle, these will be difficult or near impossible to trigger, except with very big loads, such as a cornice fall. The mid and lower snowpack layers are generally well settled.With the current weather pattern, I would also suspect ongoing cornice development and recommend a cautious approach on or below ridgecrests..

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