Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2025 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada, Avalanche Canada

Glacier.

Small loose avalanches can have big consequences near terrain traps.

Be prepared to manage your slough in the steeps and watch for solar triggered slides above you.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few small natural loose avalanches were observed from steep, south facing paths in the highway corridor today.

Field teams have observed skier triggered size 1's the past few days, which were isolated to the top 10-15cm of snow on old firm bed surfaces. Despite their small size, they were moving fast in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A thin surface crust has formed on steep solar aspects.

Variable wind slabs that formed on the 23rd are decomposing with the cold, clear nights. Sheltered areas have ~15cm of low density, faceted (sugary) snow atop a denser, wind-pressed layer. The Jan 7th layer is down 30-60cm, comprised of surface hoar (all aspects) and/or a thin crust on steep S aspects. The mid and lower snowpack are well bonded and strong.

Weather Summary

A strong ridge of high pressure is firmly planted. This means mainly clear skies and no precipitation for the foreseeable future.

Tonight Clear periods. Ridge wind W 10 km/h. Alp low -6CÂ°. Freezing level (FZL) at valley bottom. Strong alpine temp inversion.

Mon Sun & cloud. Alp high 1 CÂ°. Ridge wind: NW 15 km/hr. FZL 1000m. Strong alpine temp inversion

Tues Mainly sunny. Alpine high 1Â°C. Wind west 15-25km/h. FZL 1800m

Tuesday

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

Problems

Loose Dry

With warm temperatures forecast at treeline and above tomorrow, loose avalanches could end up entraining more mass than before. Slough management will be key in consequential terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Another sneaky 5-10cms of new snow with 30-40 km/hr Southerly winds created windslabs on Wednesday/ Thursday. These slabs may be losing their energy, but will still need a little more time to fully lose their reactivity.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2025 4:00PM