Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2025–Dec 9th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

The storm is expected to taper off Monday night, resulting in variable snowpack conditions.
Expect rapid changes as you travel through different elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are very limited in this region.

If you're heading out into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 45 mm of rain has fallen at lower elevations, while heavy wet snow may have accumulated at upper elevations. Exposed terrain has been highly wind-affected by southwesterly winds.

This builds upon previous storm slabs, which currently overlie older layers and a thick melt-freeze crust down 50 to 60 cm.

Total snowpack depths range from around 80 to 150 cm deep at treeline, and diminish rapidly at lower elevations.

Check out this great MIN for recent observations off the Coquihalla.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Cloudy. 15 to 25 mm of rain or wet snow at upper elevations. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m lowering to 1500 m.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of rain expected late afternoon. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m rising to 2200 m at night.

Wednesday
Cloudy. 10 mm of rain or wet snow at upper elevations. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

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.
Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.