Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 7th, 2013–Mar 8th, 2013

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Friday: Clear skies / Light northwest winds / Freezing level at 900m Saturday: Moderate snowfall arriving late in the day / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 800mSunday: Clearing skies / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 800m

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet avalanches have been reported from the region occurring on step solar aspects in response to daytime warming. Cornice falls to size 3 have also been reported from various parts of the region. Watch for ongoing solar-induced avalanche activity/ cornice fall with continued sun on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Outflow winds (from the north and east) have created hard wind slabs in exposed lee terrain, although over the past few days these have likely gained considerable strength. In sheltered areas the snow surface consists of facets or surface hoar. A sun crust or moist snow exists on south facing slopes, depending on the time of day.Watch out for cornices, as they are large and fragile. The mid snowpack layers are generally well settled and strong. Facets at the base of the snowpack have resurfaced as a concern now that spring is on the doorstep and full-depth releases are becoming more likely (primarily in the northern part of the region).

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.