Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jpercival, Avalanche Canada

Email

New snow falling earlier in the week is being redistributed into lee terrain.

Cold weather is forecast to warm, but is still a concern. Review this blog for strategies for managing the cold.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, A large (size 2) skier trigger storm slab on a south east aspect at 2200 m was reported north west of Slocan lake. Near white water a naturally triggered size one avalanche was observed at 2250m on a north aspect. On Thursday a report of a remotely triggered size 1 persistent slab avalanche in the Rossland Range was submitted.

Snowpack Summary

In the past week, as much as 70 cm of snow has accumulated in some areas. This new snow has buried a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar on sheltered, north-facing terrain and a sun crust on south-facing slopes.

The middle of the snowpack contains a series of old melt freeze-crusts.

A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -24 °C.

Sunday

Sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.

Monday

Sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.

Tuesday

Sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Recent storm snow requires time to stabilize and bond. Recent moderate to strong winds have redistributed this new snow into lee terrain. In some areas the new snow may be sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2024 4:00PM

Login