Avalanche forecast

Coquihalla

Feb 6 – 7, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

In sheltered areas, a persistent weak layer may remain reactive.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Previous southwesterly winds have veered into northeasterly outflow winds. Be extra cautious transitioning into wind affected terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    A weak layer of facets/surface hoar/crust are sitting under storm snow buried up to 60 cm deep. Remain cautious on steep slopes and watch for signs of instability.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported since the weekend. Big thank you for all the great MIN reports this past weekend!

  • Shooting cracks and a remotely triggered storm slab avalanche were reported in this MIN from southeast of Hope

  • Snowpack tests in the Coquihalla area produced easy shears below the storm snow in this MIN

Snowpack Summary

20 to 60 cm of snow accumulated over the last storm cycle, with the highest amounts falling in the western parts of the region and lowest amounts near Manning Park.

The storm snow is sitting on a weak layer that developed in late January. In many areas, this layer consists of a hard slippery crust. However, on shady, upper-elevation slopes, the new snow may be resting on faceted grains or surface hoar. Wind-effect has been extensive, and wind slabs can be found on various aspects extending well into treeline features.

A crust from December is buried 80 to 120 cm deep and may have facets around it in shallow areas. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is well consolidated.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 6 cm of snow. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -13 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -10 °C

Friday

Sunny. 10 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -11 °C

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Regions covered