Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Sunday

Unsettled conditions are expected on Sunday with a mix of sun and cloud as well as the possibility of isolated flurries, especially in the south of the region. Alpine wind is expected to be moderate from the north. Freezing levels are forecast to fall to around 600 m Saturday overnight and reach around 1300 m Sunday afternoon. Mostly sunny conditions are expected on Monday with light alpine wind and freezing levels reaching around 1700 m in the afternoon. A mix of sun and cloud is currently forecast for Tuesday with freezing levels reaching around 1900 m and moderate alpine wind from the south.

No new avalanches were reported on Friday. On Thursday, storm slabs up to size 3.5 were observed in the north of the region failing up to 100 cm deep. A size 2.5 wind slab was observed on a northeast aspect at 2300 m which failed down 100 cm and ran 1 km. Numerous solar triggered loose wet and loose dry avalanches were also reported. There have been no recent avalanches reported from the Coquihalla area or south of the region.On Sunday, the recent storm snow is expected to remain reactive to human triggering at higher elevations, especially in wind loaded terrain. Natural solar triggered sluffing is expected from steep sun exposed slopes. Natural wind slab avalanches and cornice releases are also possible when the sun is at its strongest.

A new crust has formed on all aspects below 1800 m and on all sun exposed slopes. Dry snow is being reported on north aspects in the alpine where 40-60 cm has accumulated over the past week. On sun exposed slopes and at lower elevations, several crusts likely exist in the upper snowpack. In the north of the region, the February persistent weak layers may still be found in the alpine and are down 100-140cm. They include a buried surface hoar layer as well as a crust/facet layer. In the southern parts of the region, the mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.