Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 25th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
CB,
Avalanche Canada
Enjoy the warm temps and good quality skiing. Avalanche hazard will rise as conditions change into the weekend with a warm, wet storm approaching.
Summary
Confidence
No Rating
Avalanche Summary
Few observations of natural activity over last few days, with isolated activity triggered by southerly winds and high freezing levels in valley bottoms avalanche paths.
Riders have been triggering warm, storm slabs below treeline this week. These avalanches have been small and failing down 30-40 cm on the Jan 3 crust.
Backcountry report of reactive wind slabs up the Asulkan drainage on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temperatures below treeline and wind effect in the alpine & at treeline have created a soft storm slab. This overlies variable wind effect in open terrain at/above Tree-line, and faceted snow in sheltered areas below Tree-line.
A sun crust (Jan 3), down 50cm and most prominent at and below Tree-line on S-SW aspects, has been the failure plane for recent human triggered avalanches.
The Dec 1 surface hoar layer is down ~110cm and is decomposing.
Weather Summary
2 frontal systems impacting the interior on Fri and Sun will bring warm temperature, light to moderate snowfall and S winds.
Tonight: Cloudy, flurries, 5cm snow, Alp low -6°C, light SW winds, 1100m FZL
Fri: Flurries, Trace , Alp high -6°C, light SW winds, 1400m FZL
Sat: Flurries, 8 cm, Alp high -5°C, moderate SW winds, 1800m FZL
Sun: Periods of snow, 15cm, Alp high 0°C, mod to strong S winds, 2200m FZL
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent snow, accompanied by variable wind and mild temps, has created a soft slab that is most reactive near ridgelines and on convex slopes at lower elevations. Above Tree-line these storm slabs are present in lee features and a bit more stubborn to initiate.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem is most reactive on South through West aspects, where a sun crust exists 40-70 cm deep.
Aspects: South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 26th, 2024 4:00PM
