Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Mar 3 – 4, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

It's going to get sunny and warm over the weekend. This is a good time to pay close attention to what is above you. Look up! 

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Cornices are waking up with warm temperatures. Cornices can be unpredictable so it's best to avoid them all together during these warm spells. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    It's been warm down low and wet loose avalanches have been reported. Expect this problem to continue with warm temperatures through the weekend and manage overhead hazard accordingly. 

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern; little change is expected for several days.

Weather Forecast

The sun will come out and freezing levels will rise through the weekend. 

Thursday night: Mainly clear. No precipitation. Winds light from the south. -7°C overnight in the alpine. 

Friday: Mainly clear. No precipitation. Light, variable winds. A high of 0°C and a low of -6°C in the alpine. Freezing levels to 1200m

Saturday: Mainly clear. No precipitation. Light winds from the north. A high of +2°C and a low of -6°C in the alpine. Freezing levels to 1700m

Sunday: Mainly clear. No precipitation. Light winds from the north. A high of +5°C and a low of -5°C in the alpine. Freezing levels could rise as high as 2400m. 

Avalanche Summary

Our field team reported two size 2 avalanches on north facing slopes that had been triggered by cornice collapses on Thursday. 

Numerous wet loose avalanches at lower elevations were reported also. 

Snowpack Summary

40-60cm of well settled and bonded snow sits above the mid-February crust. Though this layer has not produced avalanche activity, professionals in the area are still treating it with suspicion. I encourage you to do the same. The upper snowpack is moist below 1500m due to warm temperatures. Cornices are looming in alpine areas. 

The lower snowpack is well bridged by the mid-February crust and triggering avalanches below this layer is unlikely at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Cornices may release remotely when approached.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

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