Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Mar 3 – 4, 2019Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Prepare for another week without snow and remain cautious in steep and wind loaded terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Strong shifting wind has left slabs on all aspects. These slabs could be more reactive on north and west aspects where they sit above weak faceted snow.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear, 30-50 km/h east wind, alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.MONDAY: Sunny, 20-40 km/h east wind, alpine high temperatures near -6 C.TUESDAY: Sunny, 30-50 km/h southeast wind, alpine high temperatures near -5 C.WEDNESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, 30-50 km/h east wind, alpine high temperatures near -3 C.

Avalanche Summary

One small (size 1) wind slab was triggered on an east aspect on Saturday. Sluffing in steep terrain was also reported.On Wednesday, there were several human triggered slab 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. Similar activity had been reported in this area over the previous week, but has quieted down recently.

Snowpack Summary

The region has seen recent strong winds from various directions, leaving wind slabs on most aspects in exposed terrain. South facing slopes likely have a crust on the surface. Roughly 30-50 cm of snow sits above a layer of cold, soft faceted snow and surface hoar. This layer has been reactive in some snowpack tests and could enhance the propagation of wind slabs, especially on north and west alpine features. The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.

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