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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2025–Feb 4th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Coquihalla, Manning, Skagit.

You may be surprised to find the storm snow is easier to trigger in protected areas where the weak layer beneath has been preserved.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Thank you for all the great MIN reports this past weekend!

  • shooting cracks and a remotely triggered storm slab avalanche were reported in this MIN from southeast of Hope

  • snowpack tests in the Coquihalla area produced easy shears below the storm snow in this MIN

Snowpack Summary

30 to 60 cm of snow fell over the weekend.

In wind exposed areas, this new snow fell on a surface of wind affected old snow.

In sheltered areas, this new snow has fallen on a weak layer consisting of a combination of faceted grains, surface hoar, and a hard crust that formed during the January drought.

The mid snowpack contains a few other crust layers. One from December is buried 80 to 120 cm deep and may have facets around it in shallow areas.

The lower snowpack is well consolidated.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy with trace of new snow. 15 to 30 km/h outflow ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -18 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with up to 3 cm of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -13 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -13 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -10 °C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.