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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 2nd, 2022–Dec 3rd, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, Skagit, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Stave, Tetrahedron.

Use caution near ridge crests and around steep terrain features. Fresh wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers. A thin snowpack has yet to cover early-season hazards.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in our area lately, and there have been few people reporting observations. If you're heading out to the backcountry, please check for current conditions on the MIN or consider posting after your day. It helps strengthen our information gathering.

Snowpack Summary

On Friday, approximately 10 cm of snow fell. In specific areas on the North Shore treeline, a weak layer of surface hoar (2-10 mm) has been buried by this new snow. Earlier this week, the region received about 40 cm of light snow, which also buries another surface hoar layer (2-5 mm). The latest winds have left alpine and treeline slopes with pockets of heavily deposited snow or wind-affected snow. Further down in the snowpack, there are reports of a melt-freeze crust. At around 1000 m the snowpack reaches a depth of around 70 cm. Lower treeline and below treeline elevation are still below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

An upper ridge of high pressure over the Gulf of Alaska ushers in clear skies and surprisingly moderate temperatures for the weekend.  An above-freezing layer may develop from late Saturday afternoon and on.

Friday Night

Light snow up to 5 cm. Southeast ridge wind up to 50 km/h. Low of -3C at treeline. Freezing level around 500 m.

Saturday

Snow ending in morning. Clearing sky. Easterly ridge wind up to 35 km/h. High of +2C at treeline. Freezing level rising to 1500 m. Possible temperature inversion.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. Clear sky. Variable light wind. High of+ 3 C at treeline. Freezing level rising to 2000 m. Possible temperature inversion.

Monday

Sunny. No precipitation. Variable light wind. High of 0 C at treeline. Freezing level lowering to the valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The latest round of snow has arrived with strong wind, developing reactive pockets of wind slabs. Human-triggered avalanches are possible on immediate lee and on cross-loaded terrain features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2