Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 14th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Seek out sheltered snow to steer clear of the next round of wind slab formation. Older, deeper wind slabs may remain reactive at higher elevations where the new crust hasn't locked them down.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Check out these MIN reports for a description of active avalanche conditions in the Bijoux and Torpy areas on Sunday.
On Saturday a rider triggered a large wind slab and was fully buried against a tree. The victim was dug out very quickly by their party.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred on Friday continuing into Saturday. Small to very large (size 3) storm slabs were reported. Also, one large cornice failure was reported on an east-northeast feature.
Snowpack Summary
10 - 15 cm of new snow should accumulate through Wednesday, burying a new surface crust should exist below about 1200 m. It's been found up to 1750 m in the Wells area. In exposed areas above the elevation of the new crust, new snow will bury recent wind slabs and otherwise wind-affected snow.
In sheltered areas, 30 - 50 cm of recent snow has been settling on a variety of layers, including surface hoar, crusts, and sugary facets. Wind slabs will likely stay reactive if they overlie these layers at higher elevations.
The middle and lower snowpack is generally strong with no weak layers of concern.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, easing. Freezing level 1300 - 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level reaching 1800 m. Treeline temperature near 0 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with another round of flurries bringing 10 to 20 cm of new snow, including overnight amounts. 40 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Friday
Diminishing cloud and easing isolated flurries with up to 5 cm of new snow, including overnight. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature dropping to -14 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Sheltered slopes at lower elevations will offer the safest conditions.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs should form with forecast new snow and wind through Wednesday. Older, larger wind slabs at higher elevations haven't been capped by a crust and may still react to human triggers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 15th, 2025 4:00PM
