Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid Avalanche terrain in the alpine and treeline.

Storm snow and wind will form touchy slabs throughout the day.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Observations are limited but we suspect that storm slab activity will continue at higher elevations and wet loose avalanches will remain possible at lower elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Daily fluctuations in freezing level and ongoing precipitation have resulted in a snowpack that varies greatly with elevation. In alpine terrain much of the recent precipitation may have fallen as snow, Below treeline it has been rain. In the middle a crust or heavy moist snow will likely be found.

The mid and lower snow pack are well settled and not concerning.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 15 to 25 mm of mixed precipitation expected, southeast alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, freezing level around 1200 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 15 to 25 of mixed precipitation expected, south alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 40 mm of mixed precipitation expected, southeast alpine wind 25 to 45 km/h, freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 60 mm of rain expected, south alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level rising to 2400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Heavy snowfall with moderate winds overnight and through the day will create fresh storm slabs. Expect deeper and touchier slabs on north aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Wet loose avalanches will be possible in steep terrain where the snow surface is wet. They will be largest at treeline where precipitation may initially fall as snow and then switch to rain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2024 4:00PM

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