Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday

SUNDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries / southwest winds, 40-60 km/h / alpine low temperature near -10MONDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / west winds, 40-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -8TUESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud  / southeast winds, 15-20 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5 WEDNESDAY - Snow, 5-10 cm / southeast winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5

On Saturday, one natural size 2 avalanche was reported in the region on an east to north aspect at 1900 m.A natural avalanche cycle was reported north of Pemberton on Friday. Numerous natural avalanches size 3-4 were reported. An avalanche fatality occurred near Pemberton on Thursday, January 3. See the Preliminary Incident Report here. On Thursday, natural avalanches size 2-3 avalanches were reported north of Pemberton. Near the Coquihalla, wet avalanches size 2-2.5 were reported.

50-100 cm of storm snow has accumulated throughout the region since January 1. Strong to extreme winds will have promoted slab formation and cornice growth. The recent storm snow sits on two weak layers that formed in mid and late December. These layers consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park, on north and east aspects at treeline.In the northern portion of the region, a deeper weak layer composed of facets (sugary snow) and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm. There have been no reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week, but field observations suggest that avalanches may still be possible on this layer with a heavy load such as a cornice fall.