Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada swerner, Avalanche Canada

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Until cold temperatures lock in this warm and wet snowpack, dangerous avalanche conditions and poor riding quality will exist.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several wet loose and wet slabs up to size 2 have been reported in the region. These avalanches were reported from 2000 m.

Snowpack Summary

Wet snow exists in the upper snowpack to mountain top.

A layer of facets formed during the mid January cold snap sits 30-50 cm deep. Another weak layer consisting of a crust and facets is down 50 to 100 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy with light rain expected, south alpine wind 20km/h, freezing level around 2000 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with light rain/snow expected, southwest alpine wind 15 to 20 km/h, freezing level around 2000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with light rain/rain possible, southeast alpine wind km/h, freezing level rising to 1900 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, southeast alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, freezing level rising to 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.

Problems

Wet Slabs

An icon showing Wet Slabs

Wet slab and wet loose avalanches are likely when the upper snowpack is saturated from rain and elevated freezing levels. They may be stepping down to buried weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack resulting in very large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2024 4:00PM