Coquihalla

Avalanches are unlikely anywhere with a strong surface crust. Avalanches remain possible if the crust fails to refreeze overnight or weakens under warm temperatures and full sun.

Moderate

• Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Earlier in the week, a widespread wet avalanche cycle occurred during periods of warming and heavy rain.

Looking ahead, minimal avalanche activity is expected in areas where a strong surface crust is present. However, avalanche activity could increase as the crust weakens during daytime warming or in locations where a crust fails to form overnight.

Variable snow surface conditions are expected by Thursday morning. A thin crust may exist in many areas, especially at higher elevations, while moist snow may be found where an overnight crust fails to form.

The upper snowpack remains moist following the recent warm, wet storm.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled, with a widespread, thick melt-freeze crust that formed in December and is now buried approximately 100 to 200 cm below the surface.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising from 2000 to 2700 m overnight.

Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Friday
Sunny. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 3300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
• Avalanche danger will increase as the surface crust breaks down.