Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2025 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for reactive pockets of fresh snow in lee features and around steep rolls.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday and Friday, riders triggered small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches in lee features at upper elevations. (Slidetastic 5040 MIN)

On Friday morning, explosives triggered several small wind slab avalanches from steep northerly terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Wind has impacted 20 to 40 cm of settling snow from the last few days at upper elevations. Below 1500 m, surfaces may be moist or crusty.

Recent snow covers 50 to 80 cm of older snow which is bonding well to an underlying crust and lower snowpack. Snowpack depths at treeline average 200 to 300 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Flurries, 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny breaks. 5 to 15 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C, freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Tuesday

Sun and cloud. 60 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C, freezing level 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Winds have impacted recent snow. Reports suggest the most reactive pockets have been in lee features and northerly aspects.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Freezing levels are forecast to rise. Fresh snow may quickly lose strength with the first major input of heat.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2025 4:00PM

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