Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 7th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Conditions are changing in the alpine, as strong winds out of the SW scour snow from some areas and deposit windslab in others. Pay attention to the texture of the surface snow and avoid steep terrain with wind effect. Ice climbers: gully avalanches may run further than expected given the dry, sugary snow in all the avalanche paths.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Only small (size 1) windslabs and dry loose (sluffs) were observed today, but lots of blowing snow and spindrift was circulating. No significant avalanches were observed or reported.
Snowpack Summary
Building west winds have blown the surface snow into the lee side of ridge crests and cross-loaded gully features, but slab formation has been limited due to the dry, faceted nature of the blowing snow. Because the middle and base of the snowpack is generally weak, avalanches triggered as a windslab could easily "step down" and release near the ground making for a larger avalanche. An average of 60-100cm of snow can be found at treeline elevations, which is thin.
Weather Summary
The wind has finally arrived and will continue to blow strong (60-80 km/hr) from the SW until mid-day on Wednesday when it should taper. Expect just a few centimeters of new snow on Wednesday morning, and temperatures will remain cool, from -5 to -12. Overall an unstable few days ahead with wind as the dominant feature and small amounts of new snow expected.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
- Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds reaching 70 km/hr were recorded on Tuesday with the forecast calling for continued strong winds until mid-day Wednesday. This will create windslabs. Initial reports indicate this is primarily in alpine areas, but watch as they may develop at treeline also.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
As the wind redistributes the snow and conditions change, this problem may become more reactive. Fresh windslabs may step down to the weak snow on the ground and result in larger, more destructive avalanches. Large open slopes at the treeline and in the alpine remain suspect.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 8th, 2025 4:00PM
