Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2025–Feb 6th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

In sheltered areas, a persistent weak layer may remain reactive.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported since the weekend. Big thank you for all the great MIN reports this past weekend!

Shooting cracks and a remotely triggered storm slab avalanche were reported in this MIN from southeast of Hope
Snowpack tests in the Coquihalla area produced easy shears below the storm snow in this MIN

Snowpack Summary

20 to 60 cm of snow accumulated over the last storm cycle, with the highest amounts falling in the western parts of the region and lowest amounts near Manning Park.

The storm snow is sitting on a weak layer that developed in late January. In many areas, this layer consists of a hard slippery crust. However, on shady, upper-elevation slopes, the new snow may be resting on faceted grains or surface hoar. Wind-effect has been extensive, and wind slabs can be found on various aspects extending well into treeline features.

A crust from December is buried 80 to 120 cm deep and may have facets around it in shallow areas. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is well consolidated.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 6 cm of snow. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -13 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -10 °C

Friday

Sunny. 10 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -11 °C

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -10 °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.
Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.