Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 3rd, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs are expected to form at upper elevations on Saturday as winds increase and light snow continues.
Choose low-consequence terrain and watch for signs of instability.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday as winds began transporting light snow, numerous small (size 1 to 1.5) wind slabs where triggered naturally, via ski cut and a few rider triggered. They occurred on all aspects with the exception of east and near the 2000 m elevation.
On Wednesday 2 large (size 2 to 2.5) persistent slab avalanches where rider triggered, both on a north aspect at approximately 2200 m. One was near Nelson, the other Rossland. Review this MIN report link for further details
Snowpack Summary
10 to 15 cm of light and dry surface snow has been transported by building southerly wind and is expected to be forming windslabs. 30 to 50 cm of settling snow can be found in sheltered areas.
Below this recent snow, a thin crust is present below approximately 1600 m. Above 1600 m a layer of surface hoar is present and reactive to testing and rider traffic.
Weak layers of surface hoar or facets and a crust continue to persist in the mid-snowpack and can be found down between 50 and 120 cm.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.
Review this video on State of the snowpack for further details.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with light snowfall 10 to 15 cm. 25 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with snowfall 5 to 10 cm. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snowfall 1 to 5 cm, with isolated flurries. 10 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with snowfall 10 to 15 cm. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a MIN report!
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Problems
Wind Slabs
As winds increase, expect new and sensitive wind slabs to begin to form in lee aspect terrain and cross-loaded areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The sensitivity of this problem decreases in the southern boundary of this forecast region. Likely areas for triggering this weak layer are thin spots .
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 4th, 2025 4:00PM
