Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 8th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Use caution in wind effected terrain, a fresh wind slab has formed in the new snow.
If the skies are clear, watch for solar triggered loose avalanches in steep terrain facing the sun.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches were observed on Wednesday.
Solar triggered, loose, dry avalanches are likely on Thursday, if the skies clear.
On Monday, we observed a size 1.5 wind slab avalanche in the alpine above NRC gully on Macdonald West Shoulder, likely rider triggered.
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of new snow buried a weak interface which consists of widespread surface hoar present in the elevation band from ~1400 m to 2100 m surface hoar and a thin sun crust on steep westerly aspect. Moderate southerly winds have redistributed this new snow in exposed terrain, loading north facing terrain.
Isolated wind slabs are buried by new snow. These can be found on all aspects in the alpine.
Overall the mid and lower snowpack is strong and well settled.
Weather Summary
A brief clearing trend if forecast for Thursday, with a frontal system approaching Friday.
Tonight Cloudy w/clear periods. Alp Low -9, Ridge wind light gusting to mod. Freezing level (FZL) 700m.
Thurs Cloudy w/sunny periods. Alp high -4. Ridge wind SW 20 km/h. FZL 1100m.
Fri Flurries. 10-15 cm. Wind SW25, gusting to 50. FZL 800m
Sat Cloudy w/flurries. Trace precip. Alpine high -9 °C. Ridge wind W 15-35. FZL 800m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate southerly winds and 10-15 cm of new snow have formed fresh wind slabs on lee features. Pockets of buried wind slab may exist on all aspects near ridgetops in the alpine.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 9th, 2025 4:00PM
