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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 1st, 2025–Jan 2nd, 2025
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Crawford, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Moyie, Purcells, St. Mary, West Purcell.

Uncertainty remains around the reactivity of deeper weak layers.

Avoid rocky, thin, and shallow areas where triggering remains possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Explosive testing on Tuesday triggered a few small ( size 1 to 1.5 ) slab avalanches. These windslabs, occurred near or above 2000 m on cross loaded features.

A rider accidentally triggered a small avalanche from a shallow alpine slope on Repeater Peak near Golden, getting carried through cliff features and a gully. The failure plane is suspected to be the persistent weak layer down 60 cm. Read the MIN report here.

Snowpack Summary

In sheltered areas, 20 to 50 cm of settling snow can be found. The previous southwest wind has redistributed this snow, forming deeper deposits on leeward slopes at higher elevations. Surface snow consists of surface hoar crystals and facets on northerly slopes and a thin sun breakable crust on southerly slopes.

A weak layer buried in early December is now about 40 to 90 cm below the surface. This layer varies between weak surface hoar or facetted crystals on shaded slopes and a sun crust with facets on south-facing slopes.

The base of the snowpack is made of a thick crust and facets in many areas.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. 5 to 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. 5 to 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Friday

Partly cloudy, with light snowfall 1 to 5 cm. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday

Partly cloudy, with light snowfall 1 to 5 cm. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

In the mid-snowpack, buried surface hoar or facets may pose a risk on north-facing slopes, while a buried sun crust could be reactive in south-facing areas. In shallow snowpack areas, facets at the base of the snowpack are generally weak.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recent snowfall and wind have formed wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded areas. These slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering on steep, convex and unsupported slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2