Coquihalla

Storm slabs sit over a weak layer and are easily triggerable by riders.

Thank you for all the great MIN reports on Saturday!

• shooting cracks and a remotely triggered storm slab avalanche were reported in this MIN from southeast of Hope

• snowpack tests in the Coquihalla area produced easy shears below the storm snow in this MIN

30 to 60 cm of snow fell over the weekend. Near ridgetops, recent moderate southwest wind has redistributed recent snow into leeward terrain features.

This recent snow is bonding poorly to an underlying weak layer formed during the January drought. Depending on aspect and elevation, the layer may exist as a hard crust, faceted grains and/or surface hoar.

The mid snowpack contains a few other crust layers. One from December is buried 80 to 120 cm deep and may have facets around it in shallow areas.

The lower snowpack is well consolidated.

Sunday night

Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -9 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and no significant accumulations. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -11 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and no significant accumulations. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -13 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -13 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
• Choose gentle slopes that have limited consequence.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.