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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 17th, 2024–Dec 18th, 2024

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

Regions

Coquihalla, Manning, Skagit.

Choose small, low consequence slopes.

Slabs formed overnight will likely remain reactive to rider traffic.

Solar input could increase sensitivity to triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent avalanche reports in the region.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

By early morning on December 18th 25 to 50 mm of precipitation could have fallen. This will initially fall as snow in the afternoon of the 17th and switch to rain at treeline overnight before switching back to snow by early morning on the 18th. The result will be dry snow over wet or moist snow at treeline.

This precipitation will also be accompanied by strong southerly winds forming deeper deposits on northerly aspects.

In the alpine, an estimated 40 to 80 cm of snow sits above a thin crust. At lower elevations, 10 to 20 cm of snow sits above a more robust crust.

Snow depths at treeline vary across the region. Around 140 cm is reported in the Coquihalla and 85 cm near Manning Park.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 20 to 40 mm of precipitation expected. 60 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Above freezing layer between 1300 m and 1800 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow expected. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling throughout the day to 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with around 5 cm of snow expected. 30 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Friday

Increasing cloud throughout the day. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

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.