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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2023–Dec 4th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Storm slab avalanches are primed for human triggering. Stick to mellow terrain and be prepared to back off if you encounter signs of instability.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Human triggered storm slab avalanches are possible as mild temperatures promote settlement in the recent snow.

On Saturday, signs of instability like whumphing and shooting cracks were observed in the recent storm snow. If you're heading out in the backcountry, please consider sharing any observations on the Mountain Information Network 🙏

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of recent snow is settling in the mild temperatures. It sits over various layers of crusts and old faceted snow and may also overlie isolated pockets of surface hoar in sheltered areas.

Treeline snowpack depths in the range of 80-100 cm in the Coquihalla area.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Up to 5 cm of new snow in most areas, 10 cm in the Coquihalla. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 1300 m.

Monday

Up to 5 cm of new snow in most areas, 10 cm in the Coquihalla. Light to moderate southwest wind. Freezing level rising to 3000m.

Tuesday

Rain overnight (10-30 mm) becoming mixed precip in the morning (10-25 mm). Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level dropping from 3000 m to 1800 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Light wind. Freezing level 1500 m.

 

 

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

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.