Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Coquihalla, Manning, Skagit.
Plan to carefully evaluate terrain and choose to avoid areas below ridgetop with deep pillows of freshly loaded snow.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There have been no recent avalanche reports in the region.
If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds during this past storm event are likely to have stripped snow from exposed alpine features and transported it to lee north aspect terrain. In wind-sheltered, open terrain this new snowfall is expected to have buried surface hoar. A thin melt-freeze crust on south-facing slopes in the alpine has likely become buried down a estimated 10 to 25 cm.
In the alpine, an estimated 30 to 50 cm of snow sits above a thin crust. At lower elevations, 10 to 20 cm of snow sits above a more robust crust. The snow is moist below the crust.
Snow depths at treeline vary across the region. Around 105 cm is reported in the Coquihalla and 80 cm near Manning Park.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Clearing. 10 to 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
Monday
Snow 5 to 10 cm. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Tuesday
Snow 1 to 5 cm. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m
Wednesday
Rain and Snow 20 to 40 mm. 50 to 70 km/h soutwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are likely to have formed at higher elevations near ridge top where new snow has been loaded into leeward terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Storm Slabs
Expect deeper storm slab development in areas with protection from the wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2