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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 29th, 2024–Jan 30th, 2024

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Jordan, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Whatshan.

Continue to choose conservative terrain.

We have some uncertainty in how quickly the snowpack will gain strength.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the past few days , we've seen consistent avalanche activity on the mid January facet layer detailed in the snowpack summary as well as avalanches releasing on deeper layers. Widely propagating slabs have been triggered naturally, by riders and even remotely, up to size 3. Avalanche activity has been observed at all elevations and at all elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall continues to accumulate in the alpine and be redistributed by southerly winds. Elevated freezing levels and rain have moistened the surface at treeline and below.

A layer of facets formed during the mid January cold snap can be found down 30 to 70 cm. This layer has been actively producing avalanches and is expected to continue as it is stressed by the new load.

In the Selkirks, another crust/facet/surface hoar layer buried in early January, now 60-90 cm deep remains on the radar.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with up to 3 mm of rain expected, south alpine wind 40 to 70 km/h, freezing level around 2100 to 2500 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with light rain expected, southwest alpine wind 15 to 35 km/h, freezing level around 2000 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with light rain possible, southeast alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 2100 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 mm of rain expected, southeast alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, freezing level rising to 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.