Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, no significant precipitation, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures drop to -7 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with up to 5 cm of snow, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures reach -4 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -4 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny, no precipitation, light wind, treeline temperatures reach -2 C.

On Monday, there were reports of a few large (size 2) wet loose avalanches at the Coquihalla, which has been the primary type of avalanche reported from the south of the region over the past week. There have been limited reports of avalanches in the north of the region, however, there was one notable human-triggered avalanche near Pemberton on Saturday. This large (size 2) slab avalanche occurred on a southeast slope at 2000 m (see photos in the MIN report).

Winter conditions persist at upper elevations, as recent stormy weather has delivered 5 to 20 cm of new snow at elevations above 1200 m. In most areas this snow will sit above hard crust layers, while lower elevations will have moist and rain soaked surfaces. Dry snow has been reported above 2000 m on north aspects prior to this storm.

The lower snowpack should be strong under the current cool weather. In northern parts of the region, there may be a few deeply buried crust layers to monitor once the weather shifts to warmer spring-like conditions.

• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.