Avalanche forecast

Clearwater

Jan 16 – 17, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Large avalanches remain a concern. Be mindful of large slopes overhead and transitions to wind affected snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Wind slabs will be more reactive where surface hoar is preserved (think sheltered openings at mid elevations).

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Basal facets remain a concern in steep, rocky terrain and other alpine features with thin-to-thick snowpack transitions. Recent avalanche activity tells us this problem is still lurking out there.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Small wind slabs and loose snow avalanches as well as sluffing were reported yesterday.

Last week there were continued reports of large natural and explosive controlled avalanches to size 3 in the alpine and treeline. These reports have started to tapper off.

Keep in mind as natural activity tapers off, rider triggered avalanches remain possible.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 40-70 cm of soft faceted snow is on the surface in sheltered areas and is wind affected in the alpine and open treeline. This snow overlies a variety of old surfaces, but sheltered terrain where it may overlie preserved surface hoar, is the most concerning. Below 1600m a crust is present 50-80 cm down.

Two additional surface hoar layers in the top 2 m of the snowpack are diminishing in importance. The deeper of the two likely has a robust crust above it, below treeline. The depth of the snowpack varies greatly throughout the region and weak basal facets are present at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, variable alpine wind 10-40 km/h, treeline temperature -25 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with 5-15 cm of snow, variable alpine wind 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow, east alpine wind 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.

Thursday

Sunny with no new snow, east alpine wind 10-20 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Overhead hazard may not be obvious, evaluate prior to commiting to terrain.

Regions covered