Northwest Coastal

Choose conservative, low consequence terrain

The snowpack is complex and contains multiple layers of concern

• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
• Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.

Rider and naturally triggered wind slab avalanches continue to be reported. These avalanches have been up to size 2.5 and occurred on a variety of aspects in the treeline and alpine.

The mid January layer has produced avalanches up to size 3. Avalanches have been observed on a variety of aspects and elevations.

No deep persistent slab avalanches have been reported in the past few days but several were reported last week. These avalanches were in the alpine and up to size 4.

Strong northeast outflow wind has scour windward terrain and loaded south and west facing slopes at all elevations. In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.

Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.

A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 150 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.

Friday Night

Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h westerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.