Avalanche forecast

Coquihalla

Feb 4 – 5, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

You may be surprised to find the storm snow is easier to trigger in protected areas where the weak layer beneath has been preserved.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Previous southwesterly winds have veered into northeasterly outflow winds. Take extra caution when transitioning into wind affected terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Stay away from large steep slopes, as well as slopes that are protected, where the weak layer of facets/surface hoar combined are sitting on a hard crust has been preserved.

    A widespread layer of facets has been reported around Manning park

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Thank you for all the great MIN reports this past weekend!

  • 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

Snowpack Summary

30 to 60 cm of snow fell over the weekend.

In wind exposed areas, this new snow fell on a surface of wind affected old snow.

In sheltered areas, this new snow has fallen on a weak layer consisting of a combination of faceted grains, surface hoar, and a hard crust that formed during the January drought.

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.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy with trace of new snow. 15 to 30 km/h outflow ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -18 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with up to 3 cm of new snow. 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.

Thursday

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

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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