Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 25th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Cornices.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
New snow and wind have formed reactive storm slabs at all elevations. Conservative terrain choices will be critical to playing safe on Friday.
Expect hazard to be HIGH in portions of the region that receive 20 cm. or more snow Thursday night.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system. Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.
Weather Forecast
 Â
THURSDAY NIGHT: Snow; 5-15 cm. for most of region except up to 25 cm. in Coquihalla area / Strong, northwest ridgetop wind / Alpine low -12 / Freezing level 500 m.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / Alpine high -6 / Freezing level 900 m.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / Alpine high -7 / Freezing level 800 m.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / Alpine high -3 / Freezing level 1400 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Wednesday. However, the incoming snow and strong northwest winds are expected to form storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in the Coquihalla area where higher snowfall amounts are expected.
Snowpack Summary
Storm slabs formed by 10-20 cm. of new snow and strong southwest shifting to northwest winds have formed storm slabs that are expected to remain reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain.
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.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and wind have formed touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large, looming, and require extra caution under the current conditions.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 26th, 2021 4:00PM
