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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 11th, 2024–Jan 12th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Watch for wind slab in unusual areas from strong northwest winds.

Factor cold temperatures and wind chill in your trip plan this weekend.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

During the storm on Monday and Tuesday, storm slabs up to size 2.5 occurred. On Tuesday near Mount Washington, several skier-triggered storm slabs up to size 1.5 were reported from steep or wind-loaded terrain at treeline.

Reactivity in wind loaded features is expected to continue.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 90 cm of recent snow has been transported into wind slabs on south and east facing slopes by strong northwest winds. Expect to find pockets of dense and deep wind slab in wind loaded terrain and crusts or bare ground in exposed terrain.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, with numerous hard melt-freeze crusts.

Treeline snow depths generally range from 50 to 150 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly below 500 m where there has been more rainfall.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear with isolated flurries possible. Northwest winds 30-60 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop to -16 °C.

Friday

Mainly sunny with no snowfall. Northwest winds increase, 40-80 km/h. Treeline temperatures remain steady around -16 °C.

Saturday

Sunny with afternoon cloud possible. Northwest winds 10-30 km/h. Treeline temperatures "warm" to around -12 °C.

Sunday

Sunny skies with northerly winds 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures finally climb out of the deep freeze, reaching -4 °C.

With unusually cold temperatures forecast for this weekend, check out the most recent Forecaster Blog for tips on backcountry preparedness.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.

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.