Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.
Conditions are tricky despite the moderate danger rating and sunny weather.
A persistent weak layer and wind slabs remain a concern.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Skiers reported seeing multiple slides they suspected were a couple of days old in the Thar Peak area off the Coquihalla on Friday. Several loose dry sluffs size 1 to 1.5 were also reported. Otherwise, no avalanches have been reported since last weekend.
Looking forward, we expect naturally triggered avalanches to be unlikely, but human triggering to remain possible.
Snowpack Summary
Wind effect has been extensive, and wind slabs can be found on various aspects extending well into treeline features. Up to 5 cm of new snow that fell Friday night is adding to 20 to 60 cm of old storm snow overlying a weak layer that developed in late January. In many areas, this layer consists of a hard crust. However, on shady, upper-elevation slopes, the new snow may be resting on faceted grains or surface hoar. A crust from December is buried 80 to 120 cm deep and may have facets around it in shallow areas. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is well consolidated.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 5 to 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -13 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -13 °C
Monday
Sunny. 40 to 50 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -16 °C
Tuesday
Sunny. 25 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -20 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent wind varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects. Be extra cautious transitioning into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets/surface hoar/crust are buried up to 60 cm deep. Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff or slabby.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5