Avalanche forecast

Coquihalla

Mar 2 – 3, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 months ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warm temps, sun, and persistent weak layers are creating tricky conditions

Choose conservative low-angle terrain with no overhead hazard.

Check out this forecaster blog on conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong to extreme winds have redistributed recent snow, forming reactive wind slabs on lee terrain features and building up cornices. These winds have reportedly affected areas farther downslope than normal due to their strength.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    A persistent weak layer consisting of facets over a hard crust is waking up and becoming reactive. Avoid overhead hazard; remote triggering is a concern with this layer.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sun and rising temperatures will melt the surface snow on steep sun affected slopes, creating the potential for wet loose avalanches. Use extra caution on sun-exposed slopes if the snow surface is moist or wet.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

A serious avalanche accident occurred on Saturday on Thar Peak. Three skiers were bootpacking up a north-facing couloir when they triggered a size 3 persistent slab. All three skiers were partially buried and sustained serious injuries.

Another size 2 persistent slab avalanche was remotely triggered on the southeast aspect of Thar Peak on Saturday.

See photos for more details.

Looking forward, large human-triggered persistent slab remains the main concern.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow has been heavily affected by previous strong to extreme southwesterly winds. Expect scoured windward slopes and wind slabs at all elevations on lee slopes.

A melt-freeze crust may be found on sunny slopes and at lower elevations. This surface crust will likely soften with sun and daytime warming.

A persistent weak layer consisting of a crust/ facet layer from late January can be found 40 to 60 cm deep across the region. This layer has been reactive in recent days.

The snowpack below is strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.

Monday

Sunny. 15 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Regions covered