Avalanche forecast

Blue River

Jan 5 – 6, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Use extra caution in steep, rocky terrain at upper elevations where avalanches are most likely to be triggered.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow accompanied by southerly wind may form small rider triggerable wind slabs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Buried surface hoar is likely becoming harder to trigger, however, consequences remain high if triggered.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Basal facets remain a concern, particularly in steep, rocky terrain characterized by varying snowpack depths ranging from thin to thick.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No significant avalanches have been reported in the region in the past few days.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of recent snow may have formed small wind slabs in the alpine. In sheltered terrain a layer of surface hoar exists below this new snow. A significant crust exists up to 1600 m on all aspects.

A layer of surface hoar down roughly 50 to 90 cm remains problematic despite a lack of recent signs of reactivity. A hard crust above this layer is likely protecting it from human-triggering at lower elevations.

Weak basal facets characterize the bottom of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

A mix of cloud and clear skies with up to 10 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with A few centimeters of new snow expected, west alpine wind 15 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Regions covered