Avalanche Forecast

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Tuesday Night: Cloudy with clear periods. Ridgetop wind moderate from the southwest. Alpine temperatures near -5 and freezing level 500 m.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind moderate southwest. Alpine temperatures near -1 and freezing level 1900 m. 

Thursday: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Ridgetop wind moderate to strong southwest. Alpine temperatures near -3 and freezing levels 1500 m. 

Friday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, Ridgetop wind light southwest. Alpine temperatures near -4 and freezing levels 1400 m. 

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred on Sunday afternoon and evening up to size 2.5 during the storm. A near miss was also reported on the Coquihalla size 2.5 on Sunday as well. Check out this MIN report for more details.  

A report from Mt. Rohr on Saturday showed a fresh cornice-triggered slab from a steep piece of terrain, a great reminder of cornice and associated avalanche hazards.

 

40-60 cm of new snow blanketed the region by Monday morning. This snow fell with strong southwest wind building fresh reactive storm and wind slabs. The new snow has buried a mix of widespread hard crust and a bit of moist new snow below about 1700 metres and to either sheltered low density or wind-affected dry snow above this elevation. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.

Cornices along ridgelines are large and looming, especially after this storm. Avoid slopes with cornices overhead and give them a large berth while travelling along ridgelines. 

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.