Northwest Coastal

A persistent slab is lingering in the region.

While natural activity has slowed, the possibility for human triggered avalanches still exists.

Moderate

• We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

January 20

• No new avalanches reported

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.

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.

In the alpine, a widespread melt freeze crust exists to around 1500 m, higher than this the surface is quite firm and wind affected. Small pockets of stubborn wind slab may exist. Surface facetting has been noted on all these surfaces. The January 3rd surface hoar is still a layer of note and found between 100 and 250 cm deep.

At treeline and below treeline, the previously warm and wet surface snow has now become a robust melt freeze crust. Some new surface hoar growth has been noted on this layer.

Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 250 to 450 cm.

Wednesday Night
Mostly clear. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Thursday
Sunny. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

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

Saturday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.