Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.
Storm slabs will remain reactive until the snow has time to settle.
Seek out low-angle sheltered areas for the best riding.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Considering the amount of snow that our region has received over the last few days, it should be no surprise that there has been a widespread avalanche cycle. These have been in the form of storm and wind slabs and have reached up to size three.
If you venture out this weekend expect this trend to continue.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 80 cm have fallen over the last few days. Temperatures remain cool so much of this snow will take some time to settle. Southerly winds redistributed this new snow at higher elevations in exposed areas creating reactive wind slabs. The new snow may have a poor bond to the underlying stiff wind slabs and faceted snow formed by recent cold temperatures.
A melt-freeze crust formed in mid-January is buried up to 200 to 250 cm deep. It is still a concern but it seems to be gaining strength. The snow below this layer is well consolidated.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, winds southwest 20 km/h switching to the southeast by morning, treeline temperatures -10 to -5 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks, 4 cm accumulation in the northwest areas, winds southeast 20 to 30 km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures -6 °C, and freezing level to 1000 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, up to 5 cm accumulation, winds southeast 15 km/h, treeline temperatures -10 to -5 °C, and freeing levels up to 1000 m.
Monday
Cloudy with sunny periods, trace accumulation, winds south southeast 10 km/h, treeline temperatures -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Heavy snowfall this past week has built reactive storm slabs on all aspects and elevations.
Wind-loaded features should be avoided as they will deeper deposits of redistributed snow.
In many areas, this new snow may be bonding poorly to the underlying surface and storm slab reactivity may persist for longer than is typical.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A crust formed in mid-January can be found down 90 to 130 cm. In areas around the Coquihalla, facets can be found sitting on the crust. This layer is of greatest concern with large triggers, such as a cornice fall, or by first triggering a smaller avalanche that could step down to this interface.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3