Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 15th, 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
Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. New snow and strong winds are driving the avalanche danger.
Deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported. Observations seemed limited due to thick clouds at upper elevations.
Natural avalanche activity is expected on Thursday during the storm and avalanche terrain should be avoided.
Snowpack Summary
Another 20 to 35 cm of snow is forecast by Thursday afternoon. Strong southwest wind has created widespread wind effect, with deeper deposits of snow on leeward slopes. At lower elevations, the new snow may have a poor bond to the crust found up to 1300 m.
Down 50 to 100 cm a layer of surface hoar, facets, or a thin crust exists.
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and facets overlying a crust is buried 120 to 200 cm deep.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Snow 15 to 25 cm. 60 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Thursday
Snow 5 to 10 cm. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers and result in very large avalanches.
- Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Watch for newly formed and reactive storm slabs within the new snow. Potential remains for slabs to step down to deeper persistent weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Expect with the increasing snowfall and snow load, that this problem will continue. Natural avalanche activity may taper post storm but human triggering is possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 16th, 2025 4:00PM
