Avalanche Forecast

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level valley bottom.

Monday: Sun and cloud, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 500 m.

Tuesday: Increasing cloud, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 500 m.

Wednesday: Flurries, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 500 m.

No recent reports of avalanche activity.

A few persistent slab avalanches were reported last week, mostly in the north of the region near the Hurley, but also near Allison Pass. They were triggered by riders, heavy machinery, and naturally. The slabs were generally 60 to 90 cm deep, around 2000 m, and released on the weak layers described in the snowpack summary.

We know you're out there! Please share your observations with us on the Mountain Information Network (MIN)! Photos are especially helpful. Thanks for all the great MINs submitted so far.

5-15 cm of recent snow has seen some redistribution by wind, resulting in good riding quality on lee aspects in the Coquihalla area, according to the great MIN reports we've received. (If you're going out in the Duffey, please share your observations on the MIN!) Below treeline, recent snow may be sitting over surface hoar.

A hard melt-freeze crust from early December is found around 40 to 120 cm deep in the snowpack. This crust may have weak layers above it, consisting of feathery surface hoar or sugary faceted grains. These weak layers are most prevalent in the north (e.g., Duffey Lake, Hurley) and found to a lesser extent in the south of the region. The snowpack should be treated as suspect anywhere you find either surface hoar or faceted grains above the crust.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled in the south of the region. In the north, another melt-freeze crust with associated faceted grains around it may be found near the ground. Without evidence of recent avalanche activity, the layer appears to be dormant at this time.

• Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.