Avalanche forecast

Coquihalla

Feb 15 – 16, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Keep your guard up in steep open terrain! Recent snow has been slow to bond to underlying weak layers.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Recent snow has been slow to bond to underlying weak layers. Triggering slab avalanches is possible at upper elevations, especially in areas with recent wind-loading.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Several human triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on the weekend, but since then reports have been limited to mostly small loose avalanches in steep terrain. On Tuesday widespread whumpfing was reported in the Coquihalla area, a sign that new snow may be sitting above reactive surface hoar.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 30 to 40 cm of recent snow continues to settle and strengthen atop a widespread, thick crust. In some areas, surface hoar crystals may exist atop the crust.

The mid and lower snowpack are well-settled and strong.

At lower elevations, conditions remain rugged with a shallow snowpack and largely wet snow surfaces.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 50 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

Regions covered