Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 18th, 2023–Jan 19th, 2023

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

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.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No reports of recent avalanche activity.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Surface: Lingering isolated wind slabs above 2000 m where snow remains dry. At treeline and below (2000 m and lower) the snowpack has a frozen surface crust.

Mid- and Lower-snowpack: Below the most recent snow the layers are well-settled. There may be some weaker layers but it seems thick frozen crusts are effectively capping them.

Snowpack depths are roughly 150 cm cm at treeline and tapers rapidly below 1500 m. This is about 60% of an average year.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night: Trace of new snow. Clearing. Cooling with alpine temps around -5 to -10 C. Light westerly wind.

Thursday: Dry. Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temps steady around -5 to -10 C. Light westerly wind.

Friday

Dry. Mix of sun and clouds. Alpine temps around -5 C. Light westerly winds.

Saturday

Incoming weather looks like it'll bring around 5 to maybe 10 cm of snow, moderate to strong southwest winds, and alpine temperatures around -5 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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