Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Feb 18 – 19, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Watch for changing conditions with elevation and expect wind slabs on a variety of aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs likely exist on a variety of aspects. This includes fresh wind slabs formed by outflow winds and lingering wind slabs from last week's storm. Wind slabs may be more reactive above buried rain crusts.

Confidence

Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light southeast wind, alpine temperatures around -6 C.MONDAY: Cloudy, light southeast wind, alpine temperatures around -4 C.TUESDAY: Isolated flurries with up to 5 cm towards the coast, light southeast wind, alpine temperatures around -4 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, several small skier triggered slabs (size 1-1.5) were reported on a variety of aspects around 1500 m, including a few that were triggered remotely. More evidence of natural avalanche activity during last week's storm was also reported (up to size 3.5).Storm slabs are becoming less reactive with cooling temperatures, but triggering wind slabs remains a concern in exposed terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Outflow winds are forming wind slabs on a variety of aspect in exposed terrain. A total of 15-25 cm of recent snow sits above a rain crust and moist settling storm snow. The February 10th interface is now buried 60-80 cm deep and consists of facets, sun crusts on steep solar aspects, and surface hoar in sheltered locations. This interface is gaining strength, but may still be reactive in isolated areas at treeline where the surface hoar has been well-preserved. Below this layer, the snowpack is generally strong and well settled. The exceptions are shallow snowpack areas around Bear Pass and Ningunsaw where basal facets remain an ongoing concern.

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