Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack. Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Overnight Wednesday: Mostly clear with some upper-level cloud entering the region. Light northwest wind and freezing levels dropping to 600 m. 

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind light from the northeast. Alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels 1700 m. 

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light winds from the East. Alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels 1600 m.

Saturday: Snow up to 6 cm. Alpine temperatures near -4 and freezing levels 1600 m. 

On Tuesday, natural wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were spotted from steep solar terrain and explosive control work initiated a size 3.5 wet slab from a large South facing avalanche path.

On Monday, wets slabs and glide slabs up to size 3 were reported. Natural wet loose avalanche activity up to size 2 continues with these warm days.

Last weekend, widespread loose wet and cornice activity was still ongoing. The Coquihalla zone also saw glide slabs and wet slabs up to size 3.

A melt-freeze crust exists to the mountain top on solar slopes and up to 2200 m on polar slopes. Above 2200 m on North facing terrain, you may find dry snow and a generally well-settled snowpack. Below treeline elevations, the snowpack has been isothermal but will likely lock up as freezing levels drop. 

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. They are weak and very unpredictable. 

• Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.