Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 16th, 2025–Jan 17th, 2025

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, 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

North Rockies, McBride, Sugarbowl, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson.

Observations since the storm are limited, so monitor new snow depth and reactivity as you travel. New wind slabs releasing on the buried crust is the most likely scenario.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region, however stormy conditions have been limiting observations. New snow and elevated winds Thursday likely caused a small uptick in avalanche activity.

Check out these MIN reports for a description of active avalanche conditions in the Bijoux and Torpy areas on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow Thursday accumulated on surface crust below about 1200 m and on solar aspects. In exposed areas above the elevation of the crust, it has added to recent wind slabs and otherwise wind-affected snow.

In sheltered areas, 40 - 60 cm of recent snow now overlies a variable layer of surface hoar, crusts, and/or sugary facets. Wind slabs may be surprisingly reactive where they overlie these layers at higher elevations. This issue has been pronounced in the neighbouring central Columbias region.

The middle and lower snowpack is generally strong with no weak layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with easing flurries bringing less than 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 40 km/h north ridgetop wind, easing. Freezing level to valley bottom.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries and up to 5 cm of new snow, including overnight amounts. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature dropping to -14 °C.

Saturday

Mainly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high temperature -13 °C.

Sunday

Mainly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high temperature around -14 °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.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Sheltered slopes at lower elevations will offer the safest conditions.

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.