Avalanche Forecast
South Coast Inland
If Friday night's storm arrives early, the avalanche danger may be higher than posted.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious in lee features above treeline, old wind slabs rest on a buried crust.
- Be alert to conditions that change throughout the day.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity was reported on Tuesday or Wednesday. A new round of storm slab activity is expected on Friday afternoon and into Saturday with forecast wind and snow.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 40 cm of recent storm snow (with more in the Coquihalla area) now rests on the the January 6th crust. This crust formed after temperatures cooled last Saturday, locking up the previously moist surface snow. On Sunday moderate to strong southwest winds redistributed snow and formed wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline.
A widespread melt-freeze crust formed in mid-December is still an issue in the northern portion of the region where it is down 40 to 50 cm below the surface. Recent observations have shown that there are rounding facets underneath the crust on shady aspects at and above treeline. Recent snowpack tests have produced easy sudden-planar results on solar aspects at and above treeline on this interface as well. Around the Coquihalla this interface is not problematic and is thought to be part of a well bonded mid-pack.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and well settled.
Weather Forecast
Friday: About 5cm of the new snow with an additional 10-15cm overnight / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 600m
Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 1400m
Sunday: Mostly clear skies / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 2300m
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New snow and wind on Friday afternoon is expected to promote new storm slab development and increase the avalanche danger towards the end of the day. If the new snow arrives early, the avalanche danger may be higher than posted.