Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 15th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Snow and weather conditions are expected to continue changing throughout the day and into tomorrow.
Incoming snow and wind will create new windslabs, avoid open slopes that may have the potential for wide propagation.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Tuesday road patrol observed few small wind slab avalanches initiating at ridge tops and running as loose dry for short distance. Marmot Basin reported a small natural avalanche scrubbing to ground in the alpine on north aspect, suspected to be triggered out of steep rocky terrain
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack is 60-120cm in depth at tree line. Yesterday's moist surface snow to 2300m has refrozen. A weakening melt freeze crust and surface hoar layer from early December remains down 10-30cm. The middle of the snowpack is facetted and there is a deep persistent layer at the base of the snowpack consisting of a decomposing melt freeze crust and depth hoar.
Weather Summary
Thursday
Snow accumulation: 6 cm. Alpine temperature: High -6 °C. Ridge wind west: 30 km/h gusting to 80 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
FridayThursday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Alpine temperature: High -4 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
SaturdaySaturday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -21 °C, High -17 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Incoming snow and wind will build new windslabs. Many high elevation features could have wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 16th, 2025 4:00PM
