Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 9th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
A buried weak layer could create surprisingly large and reactive avalanches.
Take a cautious approach and practice good travel habits.
Summary
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.
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 10th, 2025 4:00PM
