Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.
Assess for new wind slabs as you gain elevation
Small wind slabs could be sensitive to rider traffic due to the underlying weak layers
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
At the time of publishing, no new avalanches were reported in the past 7 days.
Snowpack Summary
An average of 5 cm of recent storm snow, with up to 25 cm in isolated hotspots near the border, has fallen with variable wind, potentially forming wind slab on all aspects. In sheltered terrain this new snow may overlie soft, faceted snow or surface hoar. In exposed terrain it will overlie a sun crust or wind-affected snow.
At lower elevations a new crust could be on or near the surface.
A weak layer from late January, buried 40 to 60 cm deep, is a hard crust in many areas but consists of facets or surface hoar on sheltered upper-elevation slopes.
A crust from December is buried 80 to 140 cm deep, with facets around it in shallow snowpack areas. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with trace amounts of snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with up to 5 mm of mixed precipitation. 25 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with up to 5 mm of mixed precipitation. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
- Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Newly formed wind slabs could be found in exposed terrain on all aspects due to variable wind over the past few days. These slabs may be sensitive to rider traffic due to the weak layers underneath.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
A widespread weak layer is buried 40 to 60 cm deep. This layer may be triggerable where the snow feels stiff or cohesive above it.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2