Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Coastal
Avalanche danger will increase as new snow continues to accumulate. Wind loading patterns are your guide to avoiding slabs at higher elevations. Further down, carefully manage steep, sheltered slopes that may harbour surface hoar.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid steep convex rolls in sheltered openings at mid elevations.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid steep pockets of wind loaded snow at higher elevations.
- Sheltered openings at mid elevations are likely areas for surface hoar to be preserved.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Saturday included one observation of a remotely (from a distance) triggered Size 1.5 storm slab releasing on a steep north-facing roll at 1100 metres. This is suspected to have run on surface hoar buried beneath our recent snow accumulations.
Friday's reports included observations of numerous storm slab releases that occurred during last week's storm. These reached to Size 2.5 and were focused on terrain around a 38 degree incline. Both north and south aspects were active. Another older Size 2.5 persistent slab release was also noted. This slab was about 80 cm thick, failed on a low elevation moraine feature on a north aspect, and is suspected to have run on the weak layer from late December.
Looking forward, storm snow instabilities should become gradually limited to the most recent accumulations, except where the full depth of recent snow overlies pockets of surface hoar and at higher, more wind-affected elevations. Surface hoar is more likely to exist in sheltered openings at mid elevations. Wind slabs at ridgecrests and around exposed terrain features are an increasing concern.
Snowpack Summary
Recent stormy weather has gradually brought about 40 cm of new snow to the region. The new snow has buried widespread temperature crusts as well as more isolated surface hoar at mid elevations - both the product of last week's inversion conditions. Storm slabs have been particularly reactive where surface hoar exists as well as at higher elevations where shifting winds have promoted slab formation on a variety of aspects.
Professionals have been monitoring a few layers in the upper snowpack, including crusts and surface hoar layers buried 40-80 cm below the surface. Although these layers have been reactive in recent snowpack tests, only one recent report exists of a persistent slab releasing over the late December weak layer. These layers are a greater concern in the north of the region. The lower snowpack is generally strong, with the exception of areas around Stewart and further north where a basal crust and facets exist.
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Moderate to strong southwest winds.
Monday: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing approximately 5 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. Moderate southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -7.
Tuesday: Cloudy with continuing scattered flurries bringing 3-5 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. Moderate to strong southeast winds. Alpine high temperatures of -6.
Wednesday: Cloudy with continuing scattered flurries bringing 2-5 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. Mainly light southeast winds. Alpine high temperatures of -5.
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Recent snowfall has buried widespread temperature crusts and more isolated surface hoar. Surface hoar may be found around sheltered mid elevations. At higher elevations, watch for wind slabs in the lee of ridgecrests and exposed terrain features.