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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 9th, 2025–Jan 10th, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.

A buried weak layer could create surprisingly large and reactive avalanches.

Take a cautious approach and practice good travel habits.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, natural (some cornice-triggered) and skier-triggered wind slabs were observed from alpine and treeline terrain up to size 1.5. Notably, some slabs had surprisingly wide propagation in lower-angled terrain due to a weak layer of surface hoar they were failing on. (read more here).

Keep your guard up on Firday as similar activity can be expected with new snow and wind form fresh slabs.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow overlies a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes, large surface hoar in sheltered areas, and wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas.

A second crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep and may have a layer of surface hoar sitting above it. Recent tests show this layer as unreactive.

The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled.

Snow depths at treeline are roughly 100 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level drops to 1000 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny with valley cloud. 15 to 40 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and wind have formed fresh wind slabs that may be surprisingly large and reactive due to a weak layer of surface hoar below. Be especially cautious around treeline and low alpine where surface hoar is mostly likely to be preserved.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2