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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2023–Jan 8th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.

Wind slabs could be found at higher elevations in all aspects and further downslope than normal.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 glide avalanche was observed on southwest aspect of Yak Peak on Friday. Numerous loose wet avalanches were also reported Friday on south steep slopes around 1600 m. Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow has fallen into the region since Friday. Ongoing southerly winds have scoured south-facing terrain. Evidence of cross-loading is also found on any open slopes. As freezing levels fall, a new crust will form up to 1500 m.

In sheltered terrain, around 30 to 70 cm overlies a rain crust that formed in late December. 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

Moisture from a frontal system will continue to spill into the region Saturday night with a southerly flow aloft. On Sunday, another trough will generate periods of light snow until Monday night. Overcast skies and dry conditions are expected Tuesday.

Saturday night

Cloudy, lingering flurries, light southerly winds, freezing levels around 1200 m, low of -6C at treeline.

Sunday

Snow up to 5 cm expected in the afternoon, southwest winds increasing to 50 km/h by the end of the day, freezing levels around 1400 m, high of -2C at treeline.

Monday

Cloudy, lingering flurries up to 2 cm; moderate southerly winds gusting to 50 km/h, freezing level around 1500 m, high of -2C at treeline.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy, no precipitations, light southeasterly winds, freezing levels around 1200 m, high of -4C at treeline.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.