Northwest Coastal

Cornice failures have the potential to create large avalanches.

Be aware of what is above you before entering large or committing slopes.

Moderate

• Uncertainty is due to the fact that cornice falls are particularly difficult to forecast.

January 19

• Numerous large (up to size 3) explosive triggered avalanche were reported. Mostly failing as cornices or persistent slabs.

January 18

• A large (size 2) natural glide slab avalanche was reported below treeline.

• A large avalanche (unknown size) was heard but not witnessed during the daytime warming.

January 16 & 17

• A few large (size 2) natural avalanches were reported. On south aspects they are loose wet and on north and east aspects they are cornice failures.

On the surface there is a crust and at lower elevations surface hoar is growing.

In terrain exposed to the wind, small wind slabs are forming on lee aspect terrain.

At treeline, very warm and wet surface snow has now become a melt freeze crust. Expect this crust to be supportive to ski and foot weight.

A layer of large surface hoar is buried 90 to 150 cm in sheltered treeline features. The mid and lower snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 250 cm to 450 cm.

Tuesday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C with an above freezing layer between 1800 m and 2200 m.

Thursday
Sunny. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday
Sunny. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.