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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 4th, 2025–Jan 5th, 2025

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

Regions

Badshot-Battle, Goat, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla.

Wind slabs may not be fully bonded yet in wind-loaded areas, while dangerous weak layers hide deeper in the snowpack.

Wind-sheltered, low-consequence terrain is recommended.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Large natural and human-triggered persistent slab avalanches have occurred over the past week on the persistent weak layer buried in early December. The most concerning area has been in the Goat Range.A recent avalanche, classified as a size 1.5 persistent slab, was triggered by a vehicle northwest of Kaslo on Friday. The slide occurred below treeline. This problem is slowly starting to improve, but deserves patience and continued vigilance.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 10 cm of new snow may be covering a thin sun crust on sun affected slopes, or pockets of older wind slabs in exposed areas at upper elevations.

Expect to find 20 to 30 cm of soft, settling snow in sheltered areas and in the trees.

A persistent weak layer that consists of a crust with overlying facets and/or surface hoar, is buried 60 to 110 cm. While this layer is widespread, it is expected to be most problematic on north through east-facing slopes between 1700 and 2300 m.

At treeline, snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Use conservative route selection and resist venturing into complex terrain.
  • Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.