Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 12th, 2025–Jan 13th, 2025
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
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous naturally triggered large and very large storm slabs, wind slabs and persistent slabs, occurred across the region over the last few days.

Skiers have also reported widespread whumpfing and shooting cracks. As well as remote-triggering wind slabs.

Looking forward, we expect natural avalanche activity has tapered off, but for human triggering to remain possible to likely at upper elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme west through southwesterly winds have been redistributing snow, creating widespread wind effect and building deeper and more reactive deposits on lee slopes.

Last week's 40 to 80 cm of storm snow is settling with the mild temperatures. However the storm snow may be slow to bond where it sits on surface hoar, facets, or a thin crust.

A surface crust may exist below 900 -1200 m.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and facets overlying a crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep in the southern parts of the region, and up to 150 cm deep in areas north of Stewart. Avalanches failing on this layer could be very large and destructive.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy with 0 to 7 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 55 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow/ rain below 1300 m. Highest amounts for coastal areas, dissipating further inland. 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 4 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
  • Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate angled slopes with low consequences.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain. Potential remains for slabs to step down to deeper persistent weak layers.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

While the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab has dropped following the storm, the consequences remain very serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5