Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 19th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada dnylen, Avalanche Canada

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Recent wind has created heightened avalanche conditions on steep, open slopes in both the alpine and treeline.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few small (size 1 to 1.5), isolated wind slab avalanches were observed in alpine terrain across the region on Wednesday and Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Strong northeast wind has redistributed 20 cm of recent low-density snow. This snow may bond poorly to underlying layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and wind-pressed snow.

A prominent crust is found 30 to 50 cm deep. It extends up to 1900 m in the Cariboos and up to 1400 m around Pine Pass. At this point, the only potential concern with this layer is for areas east of Quesnel and Williams Lake, where a layer of small surface hoar has been observed near the crust.

The midpack is reportedly strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20-60 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20-50 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 3 cm snow, south alpine wind 10-20 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C except 0 °C around Wells/ Barkerville.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent winds formed slabs at and below ridgetops in atypical areas. These slabs could be more reactive on slopes where they overlie a weak layer of surface hoar and/or a crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 20th, 2024 4:00PM

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