Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.
Avalanche activity will increase with sun and warming, especially if there is no overnight freeze.
Minimize your exposure to cornices, and steep south-facing slopes in the heat of the day.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday, but expect an increase in avalanche activity with the upcoming warming on Friday.
NOTE: Observations are currently very limited in this region.
Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
Thanks for sharing to the Mountain Information Network if you are going into the backcountry.
Snowpack Summary
A typical spring diurnal cycle is underway.
High freezing levels have transformed the surface during the day into moist snow, while cooling at night has formed a crust.
The snowpack is generally well-settled and strong, although dormant weak layers may still exist in some areas.
Sustained high freezing levels with poor overnight recovery have the potential to awaken dormant weak layers.
Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Clear. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Friday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 8 °C. Freezing level 3300 m.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Avalanche danger will increase as the surface crust breaks down.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Rising temperatures and strong sunshine will increase the potential for wet avalanches. Warming will be most intense on steep south-facing slopes, especially near rocks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Cornices
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5