Coquihalla

Wind slabs have formed across a wide range of terrain. Carefully assess steep, open slopes for wind loading.

Moderate

• We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.
• We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

No avalanches have been reported in the past few days in the Cascades. However, strong blowing snow on Thursday suggests wind slab activity may be occurring in exposed terrain and could leave reactive slabs on Friday.

Between Wednesday and Friday anywhere from 10 to 40 cm of snow could fall, but it will be heavily affected by the strong westerly wind. Expect scoured windward slopes and wind slabs at all elevations on lee slopes.

A layer of decomposing crusts and facets can be found 30 to 60 cm deep across the region, but observations suggest the snow is well-bonded to this layer. The snowpack below this layer is strong and bonded.

Thursday Night

Cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level climbing to 1800 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
• Strong wind is building wind slabs farther downslope than usual.
• Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.