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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2024–Dec 23rd, 2024

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

Regions

Coquihalla, Manning, Skagit.

Look for signs of instability as you move through terrain.

Wind slabs may rider triggerable at higher elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1 (small) avalanches were reported in the alpine on Friday.

Looking ahead, we expect rider-triggerable avalanches to be possible, especially in the alpine where reactive wind slab deposits exist.

Observations have been limited in this region. If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

15 to 25 cm of new snow at upper elevations since Saturday has been transported by moderate and strong southerly winds into reactive deposits on north-facing slopes.

Below treeline, a crust or moist snow will likely be observed on the surface.

Snow depths at treeline vary across the region. Around 140 cm is reported in the Coquihalla and 85 cm near Manning Park.

Check out this MIN from Friday.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 20 mm, falling as snow above 1000 m. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1250 m.

Monday

Cloudy with some clearance in the afternoon, with up to 3 mm of mixed precipitation. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1500 m rising in the afternoon.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 mm of mixed precipitation. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1500 m dropping to 1000 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with trace precipitation. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.

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.