Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Apr 18 – 19, 2018Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Forecast new snow and strong winds are expected to create touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    New snow may bond poorly to an underlying crust. Watch for fresh storm slabs in leeward areas near ridge crests and convex features.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New snow below treeline may quickly become moist and increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Snow; accumulation 10-15 cm. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1000 m. THURSDAY NIGHT: Snow; accumulation 10-15 cm. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level 800 m. FRIDAY: Snow; accumulation 5-15 cm. Moderate to strong south wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1000 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries. Light west wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday. However, I would expect the incoming storm on Thursday to form fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

The incoming snow and strong winds on Thursday will create touchy storm slabs at treeline and above.In the south of the region, two layers of surface hoar are buried early-March and mid-March are approximately 70-100 cm deep and most prominent on north to east aspects. Further north, these layers are around 40 cm deep.Below these March layers the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. However in the far north of the region there are weak sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack.

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