Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 4th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Check for loaded pockets in leeward terrain. Avalanches are most likely where the wind has formed a slab over a crust or weak faceted snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few size 1-2 wind slab avalanches were reported last Monday-Wednesday. These occurred on wind-loaded leeward slopes, with the larger ones failing on the December crust (for more details click the photos below). We suspect recent wind has affected surfaces in open terrain at upper elevations, but have had limited field reports for this region.
Snowpack Summary
Widespread wind effect can be found in the alpine and open treeline areas. This includes sastrugi in some areas and hard wind slabs. Recent winds have varied in direction so wind slabs may exist on all aspects. Soft snow can still be found in sheltered lower elevation terrain, and in the trees.
A significant weak layer can be found across the region, buried 30 to 70 cm, depending on wind loading patterns. This layer is made of weak facets overlying a hard crust. We expect this layer to persist as a problem, especially as it gets buried deeper.
The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and bonded.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. 15 to 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A widespread crust with weak crystals overtop is buried 30-70 cm deep. This problem is specific to areas where a cohesive slab has formed over the layer, for example wind-loaded features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Be cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 5th, 2025 4:00PM
