Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Feb 16 – 17, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–6
    Storm slabs at upper elevation range in depth from 30 cm in the south to a meter plus in the north. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Slopes below 500m are unlikely to refreeze overnight.  Watch for slow-moving wet loose avalanche activity and be sure you know what's above you as you travel through low elevation terrain. 

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Sunday:  Freezing Level: 500m, Wind: Mod SW, No significant precip.Monday:  Freezing Level: 500m, rising to 750m Wind: Mod S, No significant precip.Tuesday: Freezing Level: 500m, Wind: Light W, No significant precip.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity on Friday was extensive.  Below treeline both loose and slab avalanches were reported on all aspects. Natural avalanches to size 3.5 were observed in the treeline and alpine elevations as storm snow failed and ran full path.  Sizes were slightly diminished in the south of the region, but still significant as many isolated terrain features failed resulting in both loose and slab avalanches to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

The latest system favored the North where up to 70cm fell as of Friday evening.  Southern accumulations dim in comparison coming in around 10cm.  As a result, I've weighted northern observations a bit heavier in my analysis.  Moderate to Strong winds were initially out of the SW, switching to NW during the later half of the storm creating stiff and deep wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine.  Lower elevation slopes received rain and warm temperatures which left many below treeline slopes saturated. The new snow overlies heavy accumulations from earlier in the week that have most likely gained considerable strength. I would imagine that with the ongoing weather pattern, significant cornice development has also taken place.The mid and lower snowpack layers are generally well settled.

Regions covered