Avalanche Forecast
South Coast Inland
Alpine temperatures are sky rocketing! Dial back your terrain choices when the snow gets moist or mushy and avoid cliffs, gullies, and steep slopes with trees.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Use extra caution on sunny slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Small wind slabs are possible in steep terrain behind ridge lines, especially in the south of the region (Coquihalla area). On steep slopes, the new snow may not bond well to the underlying crust.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use increased caution in downwind areas. Recent snowfall and wind loading have created wind slabs.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
- Be alert to changing snow conditions, especially where the snow firms up or sounds hollow.
Avalanche Summary
Little notable avalanche activity has been reported lately. Small lingering wind slabs have been reported in southern sections (Coquihalla) while small dry loose avalanches in steep terrain have been reported in the north of the region (Duffey Lake zone). On Tuesday, there were some reports of a few small loose avalanches steep south-facing slopes, showing the initial effects of the warm weather. More wet loose activity can be expected thanks to the sustained warming this week.
Snowpack Summary
Dramatic warming will cause widespread melting of the surface snow, especially on south-facing slopes. Crusts may form overnight, but will melt quickly in the mornings. The 30-50 cm of storm snow that fell last week is rapidly settling above the late November rain crust. The crust is reported to be thick (15 cm) below treeline and thin (2 cm) in the alpine. Southerly winds have blown snow around in exposed areas creating drifts and scoured areas. Stubborn wind slabs have formed near ridge crests and lee features, primarily in the south of the region (Coquihalla area). Treeline snow depths are approximately 1 m throughout the region.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Alpine sun with some valley clouds, light wind, freezing level up to 3200 m with inversions in the valleys.
FRIDAY: Alpine sun with some valley clouds, light wind, freezing level around 3000 m with inversions in the valleys.
SATURDAY: Increasing cloud, moderate west wind, freezing level around 2700 m with inversions in the valleys.
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Conditions will be more like spring than winter later this week. Surface snow layers can become weak when hit by the sun. Minimize your exposure to terrain traps - even small sluffs can push you into dangerous terrain.