Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Feb 27 – 28, 2021Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 6 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

The Coquihalla is the hot-spot of the region having received 40 cm recent storm snow. Northerly winds are expected to set up reverse-loading conditions in exposed terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Cornices are large, looming, and require extra caution under the current conditions.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    New snow and wind have formed touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers, especially in wind affected terrain. Avoid steep south-facing slopes if the sun comes out.

Confidence

Low - Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear and cold. Light northwesterly winds.

SATURDAY: Clear in the morning with increasing cloud through the day. Light northwesterly winds. Freezing level around 800 m.

SUNDAY: Flurries. Moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 1300 m.

MONDAY: 10-15 cm new snow. Strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

Small slab avalanches were reported from the last couple of days in the recent storm snow. Recent heavy snow in the Coquihalla area make this the most likely place in the region to trigger an avalanche until the next storm arrives.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow was variable across the region with the Coquihalla receiving around 40 cm and other area more like 10. Winds shifted from southwesterly to northwesterly so reverse-loading on southerly aspects should be considered. The sun could play a role too, potentially activating recently-formed wind slabs on slopes that face the sun.

A weak layer composed of a crust, facets or surface hoar depending on elevation/aspect is now down 70-120 cm. This layer that was buried in late January continues to be noted in snowpack tests with mixed results. There have been no recent avalanches reported on this layer. Large triggers, such as an avalanche in motion, cornice fall, or intense loading from snow/ wind and/or a rapid rise in temperature can awaken these deeper weak layers.

The lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Extra caution is needed around cornices under the current conditions.

Regions covered