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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 20th, 2023–Jan 21st, 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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Watch for fresh and reactive wind slabs as you move in to wind affected terrain. Head to sheltered terrain for the best chance of good riding conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of recent avalanche activity within the last 3 days.

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

Snowpack Summary

New snow falls over wind affected surfaces at higher elevations, and over a crust below 2000 m.

The snowpack below is considered settled. Weaker layers exist but thick crusts exist above, limiting likelihood of triggering these layers for now.

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

Friday Night

Partly cloudy skies overnight. Freezing levels remain around 500 m. Light to moderate westerly winds. Isolated flurries are possible.

Saturday

Snowfall begins mid morning delivering 5-10 cm over the day favoring coastal terrain. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. Alpine high temperatures of -3 °C.

The Coquihalla may see an additional 5-10 cm overnight.

Sunday

Clearing skies with light to moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. Alpine high of -3 °C. No snowfall expected.

Monday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate to strong northwest winds return. Freezing levels around 200 m, alpine high of -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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.