Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.
Be alert to changing conditions with elevation, sun exposure, and time of day.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Last weekend, wet loose avalanches up to size 2 have been observed with rain and warm temperatures impacting the snow surface.
Looking forward to Wednesday, we suspect that rider-triggerable wind slabs may still be found at treeline and above.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow accompanied by southerly winds has likely formed wind slabs on west through east aspects at upper elevations. A crust may be found on or near the surface on all aspects at treeline and below.
A crust from late March can be found down 50 to 80 cm on all solar aspects and at treeline and below on north-facing terrain. Below this crust, the snowpack is generally well-settled.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -5 °C. Ridge wind 10 to 40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level drops to 200 metres.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 1 °C. Ridge wind west 10-30 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.
Thursday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Ridge wind 15 to 45 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1100 metres.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 3 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1500 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow and southerly winds may have formed wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain at treeline and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
The recent storm formed large and fragile cornices. Be especially cautious during periods of strong sun, natural cornice failures have the potential to initiate large slab avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3