Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.
Pay attention to changing snow conditions with daytime warming and strong solar effect. Avoid exposing yourself to steep, sunny slopes, glide cracks, and cornices overhead.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Multiple natural loose wet and slab avalanches up to size 2.5, have been reported from the Coquihalla area, generally failing on steep rock slab features at lower elevations.
Over the weekend a number of loose wet avalanches to size 2.5 were observed on east to southwest aspects. As well as a couple of natural cornice failures.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
On the surface is a widespread melt-freeze crust existing on all aspects below roughly 2000 m and solar aspects at all elevations. The surface snow in northerly-facing alpine terrain remains cold and dry.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of a number of old crusts that continue to be tracked but are not of significant concern for the time being.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Clear. Treeline temperatures around 0 C. Light easterly ridgetop winds. Freezing levels 1000 m.
Wednesday
Sunny. Treeline temperatures 0 to +5 C. Light southerly ridgetop winds. Freezing levels 2000 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, with isolated flurries. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C. Light southerly ridgetop winds. Freezing levels 1500 m.
Friday
Cloudy, with flurries. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Moderate southerly ridgetop winds. Freezing levels 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
The likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase through the day as surface crusts breakdown and the sun destabilizes the surface snow on steep southerly facing terrain.
Both human triggered and natural avalanches are likely in the Coquihalla area on large slopes lacking ground roughness (rock slabs). Avoid exposure to steep planar slopes in the area on all aspects.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2