Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 15th, 2023–Jan 16th, 2023

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

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

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.

As you transition into wind-affected watch for pockets deeper cohesive wind slab that may remain reactive to human triggering.

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

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a natural wet loose and glide slab avalanche cycle was observed from the 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

Last week's storm resulted in 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

Sunday Night: Temperatures and freezing level starts to fall with freezing level around 1000 m. Dry. Mix of cloud and stars. Light southwest wind.

Monday: Trace to a few cm of new snow. Mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level rising to near 1500 m. Light southwest wind.

Tuesday

Nil to a few cm of new snow. Freezing level near 1000m. Mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind.

Wednesday

Dry. Freezing level remains steady around 1000m. Mix of sun and clouds. Moderate southerly wind.

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.
Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

At higher elevations where the snow remains dry, southerly winds redistributed new snow into alpine lees. Wind slabs may be lingering.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2