Avalanche Forecast

Tuesday Night: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm. Moderate to strong southwest and west wind. Alpine high -8 C.

Wednesday: Flurries, accumulation 5 cm. Strong west wind. Alpine high -4 C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday: Snow, accumulation 5-10 cm in the north of the region and 15-30 cm in the south. Moderate to strong west wind. Alpine high -2 C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Friday: Flurries, accumulation 5 cm. moderate west wind. Alpine high -4 C. Freezing level 1000 m.

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity. The deep persistent slab avalanche activity observed during last weekend's storm in the northern portion of the region seems to have tapered off. Although the likelihood of triggering has reduced there is is still concern for deep releases in that part of the region.

Extreme southwest wind during the storm last weekend has scoured windward aspects, formed deep loaded pockets in alpine lees and contributed to rapid cornice growth. Below 1800 m, snow overlies a crust and tapers with elevation.

In the north part of the region (ie. Goldbridge/Duffey/Hurley), a few deep instabilities exist in the snowpack, including a weak basal facet crust complex. This has been the failure plane in ongoing reports of very large, deep persistent avalanches.

The south of the region, including the Coquihalla and Manning areas, currently have no concerns about deeply buried weak layers.

• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.