Avalanche Forecast

Low - Uncertainty is due to how buried persistent weak layers will react with the forecast incoming weather. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack. Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

A ridge of high pressure brings dry and sunny conditions for the weekend. 

Friday Night: Mainly clear, light to moderate N wind, freezing levels near valley bottom.

Saturday: Sunny, light to moderate N wind, freezing levels reaching around 1500 m.

Sunday: Mainly sunny, moderate N wind, freezing levels potentially reaching as high as 2000 m in the late afternoon.

Monday: Mainly cloudy, moderate to strong NW wind, freezing levels 1200-1500 m.

On Thursday, some natural wet slabs up to size 1.5 were reported in the north of the region as well as several natural wind slabs. Natural loose avalanches were also observed on steep sun-exposed slopes. In the Coquihalla, a few glide slab avalanches were observed. 

In the neighbouring Sea to Sky region, numerous natural and human-triggered persistent avalanches have been observed over the past few days. The snowpack structure is expected to be similar in the north of the region and persistent slab problem should be expected until proven otherwise.

On Wednesday, numerous storm slab and loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were reported. Treeline and below treeline terrain saw wet loose avalanches up to size 2 as well. In the neighboring Sea to Sky region, a few skier controlled and remotely triggered (from as far away as 40 m) avalanches were also reported. These persistent slabs failed on the mid-February facet/ crust interface buried approximately 50 cm down. They caught people by surprise, but no involvements were associated.

Anywhere from 40 cm to 60 cm of recent storm snow has accumulated in the North (Pemberton area) and up to 80 cm in the South (Coquihalla) over a variety of surfaces that were buried mid-February. These old interfaces include surface hoar and/or facets in shady, wind-sheltered areas, sun crust on solar aspects. Generally, the storm snow seems to be settling quickly. The snow was moist/wet and rain-soaked at lower elevations, especially in the southern half of the province, which has most likely resulted in the formation of a new surface crust.

In the neighboring Sea to Sky region on northerly slopes (NW, N, NE, E) at treeline/ low alpine elevations (1600-2000 m) the mid-February facet/ crust persistent weak layer has been touchy to skier triggers, showing signs of whumphing and remotely-triggered avalanches. Reports indicate that areas that have a 3-5 cm thick layer of facets sitting on a hard melt-freeze crust are most concerning. There is no direct evidence of this persistent slab problem in the South Coast Inland region but it may be developing and should be on your radar because the snowpack structure is similar, especially in the north of the region.

Another crust/facet layer from late-January is buried down 40-120 cm and has shown no results in recent snowpack tests and is dormant at this time.

• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.