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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 20th, 2024–Jan 21st, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead.

While warmer temperatures have helped the snow to settle, higher elevations may still hold slabs triggerable by a rider.

Watch for changing conditions as you shift elevation and aspect.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday slabs remained reactive to riders, producing size 1 avalanches. Depth varied from 20-50 cm depending on wind loading, and all were reported to have failed on the old, faceted snow surface.

Check out all the great MIN reports from the last few days for a description of conditions!

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures and light rain have created a variable surface crust observed to mountain top in most areas. Up to 15 cm of new snow may build fresh slabs over the crust on Sunday.

Previous southerly winds developed wind slabs on north and east facing slopes at treeline and above. These overly a variety of old wind-affected surfaces, crusts, and faceted (weak) snow crystals, which were bonding poorly. While warm conditions promote the settling of the upper snowpack, reactivity may continue at treeline and above, as the weak interfaces resist bonding.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is considered well-settled and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow possible. Freezing levels remain above 1500 m for most areas, with light rain expected below. Southerly winds 30-40 km/h.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. Freezing levels are steady at 1500 m, with rain or wet snow expected below. Treeline temperatures around -2 °C. Southerly winds 20-40 km/h,

Monday

5-15 cm of snow is possible by Monday morning. Another 5 cm is expected over the day, with cloudy skies. Freezing levels are expected to stay near 1600 m, with treeline temperatures around -1 °C. Southerly winds 20 km/h.

Tuesday

5-10 cm of snow is possible by Tuesday morning. Another 5 cm is expected over the day, with cloudy skies. Freezing levels are expected to stay near 1500 m, with treeline temperatures around -2 °C. Southerly winds 30 km/h.

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.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Approach ridgelines with caution. Older slabs may still react to human triggers as they sit over weak surfaces. Fresh slabs may develop over the day, as snowfall builds over the new surface crust.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5