Avalanche forecast

Coquihalla

Feb 21 – 22, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

There is uncertainty with precipitation amounts overnight Monday into Tuesday. If snowfall amounts are on the high end of predictions, avalanche danger will be HIGH.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    A crust formed in mid-January can be found down 70 to 90 cm. In some areas facets can be found sitting on the crust.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Up to 30cm of new snow overnight Monday into Tuesday will form reactive storm slabs. Deepest deposits will be found in lee terrain with strong southwest winds.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Most recent avalanche activity was reported as size 1-1.5 wind slabs in the alpine.

With heavy snowfall forecast for Monday night combined with strong winds, expect there to be an increase in natural avalanche activity in the alpine and treeline.

Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of new snow from the beginning of the week is being redistributed by primarily southwest winds.

A melt-freeze crust formed in mid-January is now buried up to 80-120 cm deep. In some areas, small facets are still found above the crust. This layer appears to be gaining strength but still remains a concern. The snow below this layer is well consolidated.

Snowpack depths are just below seasonal averages. Total amounts range from 150 to 300 cm at treeline, but decreases significantly below 1500 m.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with snow, accumulation 15-30cm. Wind strong southwest. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with flurries, accumulation 3-5cm. Wind light to moderate northwest. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 400 m.

Wednesday

Mainly cloudy. Wind light to moderate northeast. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Wind moderate north wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Regions covered