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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 22nd, 2023–Feb 23rd, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

25 to 40cm of new snow fell Monday night and Tuesday. Winds switching direction have redistributed the new snow onto a variety of aspects.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Reports on Tuesday and Wednesday reflect a natural avalanche cycle in the Coquihalla area Monday night and Tuesday. Avalanches were reported as size 2-3 wind slabs, storm slabs and persistent slabs on northwest, northeast and southeast aspects in the alpine and treeline elevation bands. The persistent slab avalanches were suspected to have run on the facet/crust layer buried in mid-January (outlined in the avalanche problem section).

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 has been redistributed by primarily southwest winds switching to northerly.

A melt-freeze crust formed in mid-January is buried up to 90-140 cm deep. In some areas, small faceted crystals can be found above the crust. This layer appears to have been reactive during the storm Tuesday night and Wednesday this week. 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

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with clear breaks. Light to moderate north east. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate north east wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks. Moderate southwest wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

25-45cm of new snow accumulating Monday and Tuesday has been redistributed by southwest and now northeast winds.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A crust formed in mid-January can be found down 80 to 120 cm. In areas around the Coquihalla facets can be found sitting on the crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3