Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2012 10:14AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Cornices.

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Weather Forecast

Expect a mix of sun and cloud each day for the forecast period with light and variable winds that should increase to strong from the southeast by Tuesday. Freezing levels should sit at about 700m on Sunday, climbing to around 1100m for Monday and Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

A few wet loose snow avalanches to size 1.5 were reported in the from the region. No other avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong southeast winds have recently created wind slabs that have now gained considerable strength. Solar aspects are now moist under sunny skies during the day with a good crust recovery developing at night. Surface hoar or facets may exist in some parts of the region of the region between 60 and 120cm deep. There has been no recent activity on these layers but they could wake up with heavy triggers like a large cornice chunk or a snowmobile digging its track in. Cornices in the region are reported to be very large and potentially unstable.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are likely on steep sun exposed slopes in the afternoon.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recently developed wind slabs have gained considerable strength, but may be triggered in steep, isolated terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Cornices are reported to be very large and potentially unstable at this time. A cornice fall could be destructive by itself, and may also act as a trigger on the slope below.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 6

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2012 9:00AM