Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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***Updated - 6:18 am PST***

Be prepared to back off slopes and choose more conservative terrain as storm snow accumulates throughout the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were observed on the weekend.

If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN

Snowpack Summary

Check out this MIN describing conditions and avalanche observations.

Rain has left the snow surface wet at lower elevations and a mix of wet snow and hard melt-freeze crust around treeline. Dry snow may be found in the alpine, which has likely been redistributed by strong southerly wind.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong with numerous hard melt-freeze crusts.

Treeline snow depth ranges from 100 to 180 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly at low elevations where rain has prevailed for much of the winter.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 5 mm of mixed precipitation expected, southeast ridgetop wind 15 to 35 km/h, treeline temperature -2°C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with up to 40 mm of mixed precipitation expected, south ridgetop wind 25 to 40 km/h, freezing level rising to 1600 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 mm of mixed precipitation expected, southeast ridgetop wind 25 to 40 km/h, freezing level around 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 20 mm of mixed precipitation expected, southeast ridgetop wind 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

New reactive storm slabs will likely form throughout the day at treeline and above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Wet loose activity remains possible where the snow surface is saturated by rain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A layer of facets over a crust is buried down 40 to 80 cm and may still be rider triggerable on alpine slopes with inconsistent snowpack depth.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2024 4:00PM

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