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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 31st, 2024–Feb 1st, 2024

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

Regions

Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

A skiff of alpine snow shouldn't create much new hazard on Thursday. Ongoing rain and a saturated snowpack mean wet avalanches remain possible where lower elevation snow coverage remains.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A widespread loose wet and wet slab avalanche cycle occurred in the Coquihalla area over the past few days, up to size 2.

Recent observations have been limited.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack has been heavily saturated and weakened by recent rain. A new surface crust has likely formed in the alpine and will extend to lower elevations in the coming days.

The mid and lower snowpacks contain several old crusts but remain generally well-bonded and strong.

Snow depths have decreased significantly as a result of the rain, particularly at lower elevations where the snowpack has been melting at an alarming rate.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Cloudy with 2 to 5 mm of rain or wet snow at higher elevations. South alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h.

Thursday

Cloudy with up to 2 mm of rain or wet snow at higher elevations. South alpine winds 20 km/h. Treeline temperature +2 with freezing level around 1800 m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace precipitation. Southwest alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature 0°C with freezing level around 1500 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace precipitation. Alpine winds shifting northeast 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature -1°C with freezing level around 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.