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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2024–Dec 19th, 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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Continuously monitor conditions as you move through terrain.

Storm slabs may be more reactive at higher elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported but observations are limited. We suspect a natural avalanche cycle took place overnight on December 17th during the peak of the storm.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN)

Snowpack Summary

By early morning on the 18th 20 to 40 mm of precipitation fell in less than 24 hours. Below treeline the majority of this precipitation fell as rain, saturating the upper snowpack. In the alpine most of this precipitation fell as snow and was accompanied by southerly winds likely forming deep deposits on northerly aspects.

In the alpine, an estimated 40 to 80 cm of snow sits above a thin crust.

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

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 mm of rain expected. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with around 5 mm of rain by early morning. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2300 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with light rain. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
  • Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • 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

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.