Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Jan 3 – 4, 2024Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Use caution on wind loaded features at upper elevations. Recent New snow accompanied by moderate to strong wind has formed wind slab that may remain sensitive to rider traffic.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Wind direction has been variable over the past couple days. Wind slab could be found on all aspects with the largest slabs most likely to be found on northerly aspects.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Monday.

On Sunday ski cutting produced one size one wind slab at treeline that ran on a crust.

Snowpack Summary

Check out this great MIN describing conditions at Shames.

5 to 15 cm of recent snow has added to the wind slab problem at treeline and above. This new snow has fallen on a crust below 1500 m. Several other crusts exist in the upper snowpack.

Two buried surface hoar layers may still be found in the mid pack in isolated areas.

Snow depths are highly variable throughout the region, ranging from 100 to 300 cm at treeline and tapering rapidly below.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 3 cm of new snow expected, east alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, freezing level falling to valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -2°C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 25 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 60 km/h, freezing level rising to 800 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 60 km/h, freezing level around 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

Regions covered