Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 9th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
UPDATED ON WEDNESDAY AT 6:10 AM: Forecast snowfall amounts have backed off, but dangerous avalanche conditions still exist in alpine and treeline terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, low visibility and bad roads kept operators out of the area. We expect backcountry users who venture out on Wednesday will see evidence of a widespread natural avalanche cycle to from within the storm.
If you head into the backcountry by any method of travel, please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
35 to 60 cm of storm snow blankets the Cascades. Extreme southwest switching to northwest winds have built thick, cohesive slabs in lee features at treeline and above. This overlies 20-50 cm of recent snow over a crust and a well-settled snowpack in the alpine and upper treeline.
Treeline snowpack depths range from 90 to 180 cm. The last few storms have brought winter to the Cascades, and lower-elevation areas may reach the threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 10 cm in most areas, 25 cm local to Cheam Peak. Southwest ridgetop winds 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 to 15 cm of snow. Northwest ridgetop winds 10 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, 2 to 7 cm of snow. West ridgetop winds 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop through the day to -20 °C.
Friday
Sunny skies. Northwest ridgetop winds 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperatures -25 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Slab size and sensitivity will increase as snow continues to accumulate. Avoid wind-affected areas where slabs a deeper, more cohesive and reactive to human-triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 10th, 2024 4:00PM
