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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 13th, 2023–Feb 14th, 2023

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

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the alpine and treeline where storm snow and strong winds have built reactive wind slabs.

Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation, especially on slopes being impacted by direct sun. Periods of intense solar radiation could quickly initiate a natural avalanche cycle.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility Sunday kept operators from seeing avalanche activity at higher elevations.

On Saturday two notable wind slab avalanches were reported. First, a machine accidental, size 2-2.5, wind slab avalanche on a northeast aspect at 1900 m. See this great MIN report for photos. Second was a natural, size 2, windslab avalanche that initiated in steep northeast facing terrain. The avalanche ran off some cliffs and triggered a second slab below them.

Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

20 cm of new snowfall brings storm snow totals to 70-100 cm. At higher elevations, strong southwest winds are building deep pockets of windslab in lees.

A melt-freeze crust formed in mid-January is now buried up to 100 cm deep. At the moment this layer appears to be gaining strength though in isolated areas small facets are still found above the crust. The snow below this layer is consolidating nicely. Buried 120-150 cm is another layer of concern, a crust, formed near the end of December.

Snowpack depths are below seasonal averages. Total amounts range from 150 to 200 cm at treeline, but decrease significantly below 1500 m.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, clearing by morning. Isolated convective flurries, 2-3 cm accumulation. West winds switch to the north 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures low -10 °C. Freezing levels drop from 800 m to valley bottom tonight.

Tuesday 

Sunny with cloudy periods. Winds north 20 km/h. Treeline temperatures -8 °C and freezing levels of 900 m. 

Wednesday 

Sunny. Winds west 20 km/h gusting 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -7 °C and freezing levels of 600 m. 

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Winds southwest 20 km/h gusting 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -3 °C and freezing levels of 1000 m. 

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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.