Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

• Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

On Tuesday, riders near Chilliwack triggered many size 1 storm slabs across all aspects and elevations. In the Coquihalla, four size 2 glide slabs were observed, mainly on south-facing alpine slopes. Glide slabs are hard to forecast and may release without warning. They tend to fail on smooth rock slabs. Avoid travelling below glide cracks.

Significant snow and wind this week mean storm slabs could still be reactive to riders, particularly in wind-loaded terrain.

Around 30 cm of recent snowfall overlies over 100 cm of settled storm snow from the past week. Strong southerly winds have created a variety of surfaces - wind slabs and loaded pockets in lee features, scoured rock in open terrain, and storm slabs and softer snow in sheltered areas.

Below this recent snowfall, a melt-freeze crust could exist to near mountaintop. The depth of this crust is highly variable due to extensive recent wind transport.

Snow depths at the treeline are estimated to range from 200 to 250 cm.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
• Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.