Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 5th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Soft snow at upper elevations will become moist and heavy with rapidly warming temperatures and sun on Monday.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday and Saturday, numerous natural as well as skier- and explosive-triggered wind slabs were reported size 1-2. Most were in reverse-loaded lees of ridgetop on west to southwest aspects at alpine and treeline elevations.
Looking forward, natural and rider-triggered loose wet avalanches will become more likely.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of recent snow sits over faceted old surfaces. The new snow has seen moderate wind effect at upper elevations. Any soft snow will likely become moist and heavy with temperatures rising above zero on Monday.
An otherwise right-side-up upper snowpack appears to be bonding well to a crust buried 70 to 100 cm deep. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and bonded with no deeper concerns.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Clear. 5 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 5 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2500 m to 2000 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 to 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Problems
Loose Wet
The likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase as the snow surface becomes moist with rising temperatures and sun.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind slab may linger at elevations where snow remains dry.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 6th, 2025 4:00PM
