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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 17th, 2024–Jan 18th, 2024
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
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

Regions: Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.

Recent new snow and northerly winds are promoting wind slab formation at upper elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Reports on Wednesday showed several thin explosives triggered, skier controlled and natural storm slab and dry loose avalanches running to size 1.5.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

New snow has accumulated over faceted surfaces in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas at all elevations. A weak layer of facets above a melt-freeze crust is found down 60 to 100 cm.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well bonded with a series of crusts and facetted snow.

The average snow depth at treeline is approximately 100 to 180 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, 3-5 cm of accumulation, northwest and northeast alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud, northwest alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °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.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

10-20 cm of recent new snow and primarily northerly winds are promoting fresh wind slab development over previously wind affected surfaces and in some places weak facetted snow.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2