Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 5th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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Overnight snowfall and gusty winds have formed fresh slabs. Expect to find the most reactive deposits around ridges or in loaded start zones.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of snow is forecast to accumulate by Saturday morning, falling with strong wind.

About 20 cm recent and settling snow covers a crust into the low alpine, and possibly higher. This crust formed around the new year, and it seems to be variable in thickness and strength across the forecast area. 50-100 cm down, a layer of facets or isolated surface hoar is sitting on another crust. This layer produced surprising avalanches late in December in areas west and south of Pemberton. Reports suggest it was less active in this forecast region, and also trending towards dormancy.

Overall, the snow depth remains shallow, ranging between 80 and 120 cm, and decreases rapidly below treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Snowing. 10-30 cm of snow accumulating overnight. Very strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -9 °C.

Saturday

Snowfall slowing early morning. Northwest ridgetop wind decreasing to moderate. Treeline low around -11 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny breaks. No precipitation. Light north ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -12 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with flurries. Up to 5 cm of snow. Increasing southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
  • The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

In areas that accumulate over 20 cm of fresh snow, slabs will be reactive to skiers. The touchiest areas will be around ridges and wind-affected terrain, and in pockets with deep depositions.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 6th, 2024 4:00PM