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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 16th, 2024–Feb 17th, 2024
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
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

Expect wind loaded features to be sensitive to human triggering and capable of producing small avalanches, especially in the alpine.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

The last reported avalanches in this region were small loose avalanches on Tuesday.

Avalanche activity in adjacent regions has lately seen an uptick as wind slabs have formed over weak grains like surface hoar and facets sitting on the early February crust. Any wind loaded features in this region should be treated with high suspicion as well.

Snowpack Summary

Wind and sun have created variable surface conditions. Outflow wind has heavily impacted open terrain, including lower elevations where snow coverage exists.

A widespread crust exists 30 cm below the surface, and surface hoar has been found above the crust in some parts of the region. The snowpack is strong and bonded below the crust.

Conditions remain rugged at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Clear. Southeast alpine winds 30 -40 km/h.

Saturday

Increasing cloud. South alpine winds 35-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C with freezing level around 1400 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Southwest alpine winds 15-25 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C with freezing level around 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with isolated flurries.Southeast alpine winds 20-25 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 with freezing level around 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Outflow wind has impacted open terrain on all aspects at treeline and alpine elevations. The resulting wind slabs are bonding poorly to the underlying crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

Daytime warming will rob cohesion from surface layers and promote wet loose avalanche conditions in steep, sun-exposed terrain, particularly in the alpine.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5