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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 19th, 2024–Jan 20th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Spearhead.

Warm temperatures may increase reactivity by encouraging slab formation.

Choose conservative terrain, and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Reactivity continued on Thursday, mainly in wind affected features at treeline and above where more slab properties exist in the storm snow. Previous naturally triggered slabs were observed near ridgelines. Riders and explosives triggered slabs to size 1.5

Check out all the great MIN reports from the last few days for a description of conditions!

Reports noted that storm snow is not bonding well to the old, hard surfaces below, which includes a crust or wind affected snow.

Snowpack Summary

Southerly winds have redistributed recent snow at higher elevations, creating fresh and reactive slabs. At treeline and below, riding conditions are reportedly good, with less slab quality however rising temperatures are expected to create slabs at these elevations.

This new snow buries a variety of old wind-affected surfaces, crusts, and faceted (weak) snow crystals, which has shown to be bonding poorly so far.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is considered well-settled and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow expected, southwest winds 20-40 km/h and treeline temperatures around +2 °C. Freezing levels remain around 2000 m, with rain or wet snow expected at lower elevations.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. Southwest winds, 20 km/h. Freezing levels begin the day at 2000 m, dropping to 1500 m over the day. Treeline temperatures reach a maximum of +2 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. southerly winds 20-40 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C as freezing levels remain 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. southerly winds 20 km/h, treeline temperatures may reach +3 °C as freezing levels rise towards 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Reactivity can be found where the snow acts as a cohesive slab. Expect this in the typical features - near ridgelines, convex rolls and in crossloaded terrain. However as temperatures rise, expect slab quality to increase everywhere.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2