Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Jan 28 – 29, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Assess for storm slabs and unstable snow before committing to steep or high-consequence terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Storm slabs will be more reactive at or near ridge crests on north through east faces where wind deposited snow will be thicker.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Use caution when encountering moist or wet snow in steep areas or gullies.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Friday: There were reports of small (size 1) skier-triggered avalanches on north facing treeline slopes in the Hankin-Evelyn area.

Wednesday: Several small natural and rider-triggered wind slab avalanches were observed in the mountains northeast of Hazelton.

Field data has been limited. If you head to the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

At treeline elevations and below, the upper snowpack is moist or wet due to warm temperatures and rain.

Storm snow amounts over the last week have varied across the region. The current storm slab is 15-20 cm thick and is made up of heavy, dense, and in some cases moist or wet snow. On north and east faces these slabs may be thicker due to recent winds. The storm snow may be poorly bonded to a crust formed in early January that extends up to treeline elevations.

Two deeper surface hoar layers exist. These layers have become dormant and unlikely to trigger.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 1-3 cm of snow / light rain, southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h, treeline temperature 2°C, freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with a trace of new snow, southwest alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature 3°C, freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 2-3 cm of new snow / or light rain, south alpine wind 50-60 km/h, treeline temperature 4°C, freezing level 2200 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with a trace of new snow, southwest alpine wind 30-40 km/h, treeline temperature 0°C, freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Regions covered