Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 14th, 2023–Jan 15th, 2023

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

Regions: Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

As you transition into wind-affected areas watch for deep, stiff pockets of storm slabs in lees that are more likely to be reactive to human triggering.

Below the freezing line, the potential for wet loose avalanches still exists.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a natural wet loose and glide slab avalanche cycle was observed from this week's rain event. Several avalanches were reported up to size 2 on all aspects at all elevations.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

15-20 cm of storm snow and moderate southerly winds have built storm slabs at higher elevations where snow remained dry. Storm slabs overlie previously wind-affected surfaces on south and east-facing slopes. At treeline and below the snowpack is saturated and refreezing.

The mid-snowpack is well-settled. The lower snowpack consists of several crusts with weak faceted crystals above and below that are beginning to heal and bond to each other.

Snowpack depths are roughly 145 to 185 cm at treeline and taper rapidly below 1500 m.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Scattered clouds increase through the night. Isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Southeast winds of 25 km/h. Ridgetop low-temperature -1C. Freezing levels fall to 1000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light variable winds gusting 20 km/h. Ridgetop high-temperature +1C. Freezing levels 1500 m.

Monday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, 2-5 mm. Light variable winds gusting 30 km/h. Ridgetop high-temperature 0C. Freezing levels 1300 m.

The next storm impacts the coast Sunday night. Rain will change to snow, 5-10 mm. Winds remain light. Freezing levels will fall to 1000 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Southwesterly winds increase from moderate to strong through the day, gusting 30 km/h. Ridgetop high-temperature 0C. Freezing levels 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

This week's storm brought +15 cm of snow to the highest peaks. Where snow remained dry, southerly winds redistributed new snow into alpine lees. Watch for deeper pockets of storm slab on specific features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

Rain has saturated the snowpack below 1700 m causing the surface to lose cohesion. Below the freezing line, loose wet avalanches remain possible on steep slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2