Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Mostly cloudy conditions are expected on Tuesday with the possibility of sunny breaks. Alpine wind is expected to be light to moderate from the southwest and freezing levels are expected to reach around 1700 m on Tuesday afternoon. 2-4 cm of new snow is forecast for Tuesday night and another 5-15 cm is currently forecast for Wednesday. Alpine wind is expected to be moderate to strong from the southwest and freezing levels are forecast to reach around 1800 m on Wednesday. A mix of sun and cloud with lingering flurries is forecast for Thursday.

On Sunday, a natural size 2.5 wind slab was reported to have released from steep unskiable terrain in the north of the region. Ski cutting triggered two size 1 avalanches in the alpine on morainal features. A natural cornice release was reported which did not trigger a slab. A social media report describes two skier triggered wind slab avalanches in the Heart Strings area. Click here for details and photos. There have been no new avalanche reports from the Coquihalla area or south of the region in the past several days.On Tuesday, recently formed wind slabs are expected to remain reactive to human triggering. These slabs are expected to be particularly touchy where they overlie a melt-freeze crust.

Widespread melt-freeze conditions are expected on all aspects and elevations except for high elevation north facing terrain. Recent strong winds from the south have formed wind slabs in the alpine and have added load to cornices. On sun exposed slopes and at lower elevations, several crusts likely exist in the upper snowpack which are generally well bonded.