Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.
Moist snow and a melt-freeze crust make for tough travel conditions.
If you venture at higher elevations, watch for small pockets of wind slabs further downslope than normal.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in the region since the weekend. Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 5 cm of snow has fallen into the region this weekend. Ongoing southerly winds have scoured south-facing and east-facing slopes. Evidence of cross-loading is also found on any open slopes. A new melt-freeze crust has formed on the surface up to between 1000 and 1500 m. Wet and heavy snow is found at lower elevations.
In sheltered terrain, around 30 to 70 cm overlies a rain crust that formed in late December. The mid-snowpack is well-settled. The lower snowpack consists of several crusts with weak faceted crystals above and below that are beginning to heal and bond to each other.
Snowpack depths are roughly 145 to 185 cm at treeline and taper rapidly below 1500 m.
Weather Summary
A weak frontal band will generate periods of light snow Monday night. Overcast skies and dry conditions are expected by midday Tuesday. The next incoming system is expected to bring warm air and precipitations on Thursday.
Monday night
Snow up to 5 cm overnight, moderate southerly winds gusting to 40 km/h, freezing level around 1000 m, low of -3C at treeline.
Tuesday
Cloudy, lingering flurries in the morning, moderate southeasterly winds easing off, freezing levels around 1500 m, high of 0C at treeline.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds, no precipitation, moderate southeasterly winds, freezing levels around 1000 m, high of -4C at treeline.
Thursday
Wet snow / rain 10-15 mm, moderate southeasterly winds gusting 45 km/h, freezing levels around 2000 m, high of +3C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous winds have created isolated small pockets of wind slabs in alpine and open terrain at treeline. Expect to find wind slabs further downslope than normal as winds were strong. Keep exercising caution around ridge lines and cross-loaded features are where wind slabs are most likely to get triggered.
Aspects: North, North East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5