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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2023–Mar 27th, 2023

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

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Small isolated wind slabs may be found on exposed lee features in the alpine and below ridgetops. Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs before committing to them.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was reported on Saturday.

Several rider triggered size 1 wind slab avalanches were reported on lee aspects at upper elevations on Friday.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of recent snow and light to moderate southwesterly wind may have formed small wind slabs on lee features at upper elevations.

Below the recent snow is a melt-freeze crust, existing on all aspects at treeline and below. The crust extends to mountain tops on sunny aspects. In north facing high alpine terrain the surface snow may have remained cold and dry.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of a number of old crusts and facetted snow that continue to be monitored, particularly in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly clear. Light southeast ridgetop wind. Temperatures at treeline reach a low of -7 C. Freezing levels drop to valley bottom.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light southeast ridgetop wind. Temperatures at treeline reach a high of -2 C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. Strong east ridgetop wind. Temperatures at treeline reach a high of -1 C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light southeast ridgetop wind. Temperatures at treeline reach a high of 0 C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • 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

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.