Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.
Fresh wind slabs are likely along ridgelines and in alpine terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
While direct observations are lacking, recent storms likely produced wind slab and wet loose activity. As temperatures cool on Friday, wind slabs at upper elevations will be the main concern.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of new snow is possible in higher terrain Thursday night, likely to be heavily wind-affected. Amounts will taper off quickly below treeline, though the exact rain-snow line remains uncertain.
The new snow is expected to bond well to an otherwise strong and well-settled snowpack.
Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow above 1200 m. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level drops from 2000 to 1200 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 0 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.
- A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow with strong southwest will likely form wind slabs on Thursday night.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2