Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Coastal
Watch for wind slabs in unusual places, including low elevation terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, skiers triggered a few small slabs (size 1) on steep wind-loaded features. Earlier in the week, explosive control work in the northern parts of the region managed to produce some large avalanches that failed on the late October crust on north through east aspect alpine slopes.
Snowpack Summary
The region picked up 20 to 60 cm of storm snow last weekend accompanied by winds out of the southwest, west, northwest, and most recently the east. Since then, little additional snow has fallen, but cooler temperatures have kept snow dry and susceptible to being blown around by the wind. Wind slabs may rest on a melt-freeze crust (reported to be 3 to 15 cm thick), and there are reports of surface hoar resting above this crust in sheltered locations. Below this crust the mid-pack is reported to be generally strong. You can expect to find a second prominent crust, which was buried at the end of October, 100 to 200 cm below the surface. This lower layer may have associated facets, particularly in shallow locations around Stewart and the northern parts of the region.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Dry and sunny, moderate winds from the east, treeline temperatures around -10 C.
SUNDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud, moderate winds from the southeast, treeline temperatures around -10 C.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy, moderate winds from the northwest, treeline temperatures around -12 C.
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Winds have shifted from the northwest to the southeast over the past few days, forming wind slabs on a range of aspects and elevations.