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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 14th, 2024–Jan 15th, 2024

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

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Watch out for wind slabs in unusual places, such as south-facing slopes and lower down slopes than you might expect.

Wind-sheltered terrain should still offer excellent riding conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Since the end of last week, a few natural wind slab avalanches have been reported during active wind transport from northerly winds. Avalanches have generally been on southerly aspects at treeline and above, up to size 2.5.

Several small loose dry avalanches have been reported in wind-sheltered terrain at lower elevations.

If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Wind-affected snow surfaces in exposed terrain at treeline and above, including reactive wind slabs on south-facing terrain due to recent northerly winds. In wind-sheltered terrain, snow remains largely unconsolidated powder.

Roughly 100 cm of recent snow sits atop a crust with a generally well-settled and stable lower snowpack.

With recent snowfall lower elevation areas may now be at the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear with no precipitation, northwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -11 °C.

Monday

Sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 20 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Shooting cracks, whumphs and recent avalanches are strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.

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.