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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2023–Apr 7th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

A significant storm is hitting the South Coast ranges tonight and may spill over in this region.

Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow Friday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Thin naturally triggered wind slabs were observed on the Coquihalla in the past 24 hours. A natural storm slab was also observed on a north-easterly aspect at 1800 m on Tuesday near Yak Peak. Old evidence of loose dry avalanches out of steep, north-facing terrain near treeline and loose wet avalanches out of steep solar aspects at all elevations may still be visible.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Surfaces are variable according to aspects and elevations. At low elevations, a moist or crusty surface has likely formed. At upper elevations, shady wind-sheltered areas may still hold dry, low-density snow. Last week's storm (30-50 cm) has seen some evidence of wind loading near ridge tops. This snow appears to be bonding well to underlying surfaces, including melt-freeze crusts. Snow at low elevations is rapidly settling out.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of several old crusts and facetted snow that continue to be monitored, particularly in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

A warm system is crashing into the nearby South Coast ranges Thursday night, bringing wet snow or rain. Warm & windy conditions are expected to impact the region over the weekend.

Thursday night

Cloudy. Isolated flurries or light rain. Moderate south wind gusting 40 km/h. Alpine low 0 °C. Freezing level steady around 1800 m.

Friday

Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Local amounts 5-10 cm. Moderate southwest wind gusting 50 km/h. Alpine high -2 °C. Freezing level lowers to 1500 m.

Saturday

Cloudy. Isolated flurries up to 5 cm. Moderate southwest wind gusting 50 km/h. Alpine high -3 °C. Freezing level rises to 1300 m.

Sunday

Snow 15-20 cm. Moderate southwest wind gusting 50 km/h. Alpine high -4 °C. Freezing level steady around 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.