Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Apr 8 – 9, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Observations and data are limited. Be sure to read the Northwest Coast bulletin for information on a touchy persistent slab problem, which may also be present and active in some inland areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Winds are forecast to increase with the approaching frontal system. Any loose snow will be blown into thin wind slabs in exposed lee terrain, possibly well below ridge crests. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    A buried surface hoar layer, down around 50 cm, has been very reactive in the Ningunsaw Pass area and could be an issue in other parts of the region where we receive little info. 

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Increasing cloud with light snow developing late. The freezing level is around 1500 m. Winds increase to strong or extreme from the S-SW. Friday: Light snow. The freezing level is near 1200 m and winds are strong from the south. Saturday: Cloudy with flurries. The freezing level is around 1000 m and winds are moderate from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, several loose wet avalanches to size 2 were reported from steep sun-exposed slopes. Some of these did trigger slabs up to size 2.5, potentially releasing on the March 25th surface hoar layer. Observers near the Ningunsaw Pass (northern part of the region) have been reported significant activity on the March 25th interface. For the past few days there have been reports of natural, skier-triggered, and remotely triggered avalanches up to size 3.

Snowpack Summary

You may still find dry powder on higher north aspects, but any sun exposed slope will likely be in a melt-freeze cycle. Recent winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee features. A crust with surface hoar buried on March 25th, down around 50 cm, has been identified as a potential problem in parts of the forecast region, but its sensitively and distribution are largely unknown. At the base of the snowpack, especially in areas of shallow snow, weak facets may be found. Cornices are now large and potentially fragile, and solar aspects are becoming active in the late afternoons.

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