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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 15th, 2024–Jan 16th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sky Pilot.

Excellent riding conditions exist in wind-sheltered terrain. Exercise caution around ridge tops and cross-loaded features.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Several natural and explosive-triggered wind slab avalanches were reported over the weekend. In general, all avalanches occurred in reverse-loaded (south-facing) or cross-loaded alpine terrain features. Mostly between size 1 and 2, with one size 3 observation.

If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Recent north winds have had a significant effect on snow surfaces with notable wind slab development observed on south-facing slopes.

In sheltered regions, there's a possibility of isolated pockets of surface hoar being buried under 30 to 50 cm of recent snow.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of a few old crusts and is generally well-settled and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear with no precipitation, northwest alpine winds 0 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow, south alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy with no precipitation, southeast alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.