Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Coastal
Freshly formed wind slabs reactive to human triggers are expected on lee features below ridgetops.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for newly formed wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Surface snow consists of sun crusts on solar aspects and surface hoar growth averaging 5 mm on sheltered, shady aspects extending into the alpine in some areas. A layer of small surface hoar (5 mm) buried in late February has been reported in isolated locations at treeline and below.
In the upper/mid-pack you will likely find layers of crusts, facets, and isolated surface hoar buried 50-100 cm below the surface.
Deeper in the snowpack, around 150-200 cm down there is a crust/surface hoar layer from January.
Sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack would likely be found in colder and dryer parts of the region, such as the far north.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: 10-15 cm of new snow / Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level around 500 m.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 3-5 cm of new snow / Moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1000 m.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries / Light to moderate southerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1300 m.
MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong southterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1500 m.
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Fresh wind slabs reactive to human triggers are expected on lee features below ridgetops on Friday.