Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 18th, 2017 3:20PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices and Loose Wet.

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Forecast new snow may release as loose wet avalanches during the warmest part of the day. Some thin wind slabs may also develop in the alpine.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Overnight: 5-8 cm of new snow with strong southwest winds and freezing down to 700 metres. Wednesday: Another 5-8 cm of new snow with strong southerly winds and daytime freezing up to 1400 metres. Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud with light southwest winds and daytime freezing up to 1600 metres. Friday: Mostly sunny with light south winds and daytime freezing up to 2000 metres.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on Monday from steep terrain below treeline west of Terrace. Wet slab avalanches up to size 3.0 were reported in the Oscar peak area, as well as small loose wet avalanches and one natural cornice fall that did not release a slab on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow has been transported by the wind, and high alpine terrain may be stripped down to ice or old hard surfaces. Wind deposited snow may be sitting on a variety of old surfaces including hard wind crusts in exposed terrain and sun crusts on solar aspects. Dry snow was reported from shaded north aspects at the highest elevations in the alpine.

Problems

Cornices

The likelihood of cornices triggering increases with intense sunshine and/or during the warmest parts of the day.

Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridges.Even small cornice falls may trigger larger avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are likely at lower elevations where the snowpack may be isothermal. At higher elevations the loose wet problem is driven by exposure to sun and daytime warming. When the sun is strong, wet slab avalanches may be a concern.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 19th, 2017 2:00PM