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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2024–Dec 16th, 2024

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

Regions

Coquihalla, Manning, Skagit.

Plan to carefully evaluate terrain and choose to avoid areas below ridgetop with deep pillows of freshly loaded snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent avalanche reports in the region.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds during this past storm event are likely to have stripped snow from exposed alpine features and transported it to lee north aspect terrain. In wind-sheltered, open terrain this new snowfall is expected to have buried surface hoar. A thin melt-freeze crust on south-facing slopes in the alpine has likely become buried down a estimated 10 to 25 cm.

In the alpine, an estimated 30 to 50 cm of snow sits above a thin crust. At lower elevations, 10 to 20 cm of snow sits above a more robust crust. The snow is moist below the crust.

Snow depths at treeline vary across the region. Around 105 cm is reported in the Coquihalla and 80 cm near Manning Park.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clearing. 10 to 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Monday

Snow 5 to 10 cm. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Tuesday

Snow 1 to 5 cm. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m

Wednesday

Rain and Snow 20 to 40 mm. 50 to 70 km/h soutwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.

Problems

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.