Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mhalik, Avalanche Canada

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Heavy rain and extreme winds are forecast to continue; anticipate loose wet avalanche activity at all elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday the field team reported seeing numerous small loose wet avalanches in the Mt. Arrowsmith area. For more details check out their MIN.

With the current warm and wet conditions hitting the Island we suspect a natural avalanche cycle is ongoing.

Snowpack Summary

Rain has saturated the upper snowpack right to mountaintop. At higher elevations recent snow buried a variable melt-freeze crust.

In the mid-snowpack, a reactive crust/facet combination may exist in high alpine terrain.

The potential remains for wet slabs to be triggered on these crusts in isolated areas.

Otherwise, the mid and lower snowpack contains a series of old crusts and is currently well-bonded and strong.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with heavy rain, southwest alpine winds 60 km/h, treeline temperature 5°C, freezing levels around 1700 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with moderate to heavy rain, southwest alpine winds 60 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature 8°C, freezing levels around 2400 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with moderate to heavy rain, south alpine winds 90 to 100 km/h, treeline temperature 8°C, freezing levels around 2500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with heavy rain, south alpine winds 80 to 90 km/h, treeline temperature 5°C, freezing levels around 2200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Rain at lower elevations continues to saturate the upper snowpack. While unlikely, the potential remains for wet slabs to fail in isolated areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2024 4:00PM

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