Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Coastal
Forecast new snow and strong winds are expected to create touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use small slopes with low or no consequence to test the bond of the new snow.
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing, cracking, or recent natural avalanches.
- Use caution when transitioning into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
New snow below treeline may quickly become moist and increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for signs that the snow is heating up such as pin-wheeling or the surface snow becoming moist.
- Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday. However, I would expect the incoming storm on Thursday to form fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain at treeline and above.
Snowpack Summary
The incoming snow and strong winds on Thursday will create touchy storm slabs at treeline and above.
In the south of the region, two layers of surface hoar are buried early-March and mid-March are approximately 70-100 cm deep and most prominent on north to east aspects. Further north, these layers are around 40 cm deep.
Below these March layers the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. However in the far north of the region there are weak sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Snow; accumulation 10-15 cm. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1000 m.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Snow; accumulation 10-15 cm. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level 800 m.
FRIDAY: Snow; accumulation 5-15 cm. Moderate to strong south wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1000 m.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries. Light west wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1000 m.
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New snow may bond poorly to an underlying crust. Watch for fresh storm slabs in leeward areas near ridge crests and convex features.