Regions
Northwest Coastal.
The Northwest Coast is in for a cold and sunny weekend. Keep in mind the potential to encounter wind slabs at upper elevations, which may be reactive to human triggers.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT - Clear periods and isolated flurries / northeast winds 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature near -17SATURDAY - Mainly sunny / northeast winds 15-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -15SUNDAY - Sunny / east winds 20-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -10MONDAY - Sunny / east winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -7
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, a few explosives triggered size 1-2 slab avalanches were reported north of Stewart. Several loose avalanches up to size 1.5 that were triggered by the sun on steep south facing terrain were also reported.On Wednesday, there were several human triggered avalanches size 1-2 near Terrace. A few of these were triggered remotely (from a distance). These were on north and west aspects around 1400 m.
Snowpack Summary
The region has seen recent strong winds from various directions. This will mean that wind slabs are likely to be found on most aspects, especially in the alpine and at treeline. South facing slopes likely have a crust on the surface.In most areas, 20-50 cm of wind affected snow sits on old wind slabs, and crust on south facing slopes. In sheltered areas, softer snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and/or surface hoar (feathery crystals).In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is considered generally strong. Around Bear Pass and further north, two weak layers of surface hoar may be found down about 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of facets in the northern parts of the region.
Problems
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.