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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 9th, 2024–Jan 10th, 2024

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

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

UPDATED ON WEDNESDAY AT 6:10 AM: Forecast snowfall amounts have backed off, but dangerous avalanche conditions still exist in alpine and treeline terrain.

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

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.