Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 9th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
It will take time for the snowpack to adjust to the new snow load. In the meantime, careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Observations during the storm have been limited due to poor visibility. On Wednesday and Thursday our field team observed size 1-2 storm slab avalanches.
On Tuesday, they remotely triggered a large (size 2) storm slab near the Fraser Chutes, which stepped down to the persistent weak layer. Check out their MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
Light snowfall continues to accumulate. Since the start of the week, around 50 cm has fallen. Strong southerly winds have formed deeper deposits on northerly aspects.
The recent snow sits over a 20 to 30 cm thick layer of old faceted snow. Below 1700m, these facets sit over a crust. Recent avalanches have been observed to have failed on this layer.
The rest remainder of the snowpack is well bonded and settled. Snowpack depths range from about 100 to 180 cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Friday
Cloudy with around 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow possible. 50 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow possible. 60 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Use conservative route selection and resist venturing into complex terrain.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Problems
Storm Slabs
50 cm of recent snow and mild temperatures have created reactive storm slabs with potential to step down to deeper layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A layer of facets over a crust formed in early December could produce large avalanches if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 10th, 2025 4:00PM
