Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 20th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

Email

Watch for fresh and reactive wind slabs as you move in to wind affected terrain. Head to sheltered terrain for the best chance of good riding conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of recent avalanche activity within the last 3 days.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

New snow falls over wind affected surfaces at higher elevations, and over a crust below 2000 m.

The snowpack below is considered settled. Weaker layers exist but thick crusts exist above, limiting likelihood of triggering these layers for now.

Snowpack depths are roughly 150 cm cm at treeline and tapers rapidly below 1500 m. This is about 60% of an average year.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partly cloudy skies overnight. Freezing levels remain around 500 m. Light to moderate westerly winds. Isolated flurries are possible.

Saturday

Snowfall begins mid morning delivering 5-10 cm over the day favoring coastal terrain. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. Alpine high temperatures of -3 °C.

The Coquihalla may see an additional 5-10 cm overnight.

Sunday

Clearing skies with light to moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. Alpine high of -3 °C. No snowfall expected.

Monday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate to strong northwest winds return. Freezing levels around 200 m, alpine high of -6 °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.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Expect fresh wind slabs to build as fresh snow is redistributed by southwest winds. Take care around ridge crests and wind loaded features. Older wind slabs below the fresh snow may still be reactive to human triggers as well.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 21st, 2023 4:00PM