Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 27th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include730am update: Wet snow and rain is increasing avalanche hazard at all elevations. Avoid areas with overhead hazards and seek out terrain sheltered from the wind.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Small (size 1) skier-controlled avalanches were reported near Fernie today.
Small and large (size 2) storm slab avalanches have continued to occur this week near Fernie, both naturally and with explosives, as recently as Friday.
Snowpack Summary
Expect surface snow to become moist and wet with incoming warm temperatures and precipitation.
Roughly 40 to 50 cm of snow from the past week sits over various old surfaces. In some areas, it is slow to bond due to sugary facets.
Near the bottom of the snowpack, there are a series of crusts and facets that are more prominent in shallow areas.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with a trace of snow or rain, southwest alpine wind 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow or rain, southwest alpine wind 50 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing level 2500 m.
Monday
Cloudy with a trace of snow or rain, southwest alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 3 °C, freezing level 3000 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with no snow, southwest alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing level dropping to 2250 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy rain.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Expect rider-triggering to be easy and natural avalanches to occur as rain and heavy snow falls.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
As rain hits the cold surface snow for the first time, expect natural wet loose avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 28th, 2024 4:00PM