Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada lcrawley, Avalanche Canada

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Don't let tracks on a slope lure you into bigger terrain.

This problem is best managed with patience.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No reports from Wednesday at the time of publishing.

On Tuesday there were two skier-triggered deep persistent avalanches (size 1.5-2) west of Invermere in shallow areas. Both times there were tracks on the slope and the skier who triggered it was caught, buried, and recovered uninjured. (one partial burial, one full)

Several small, dry loose natural avalanches occurred on south aspects.

On Monday, three size 2 avalanches were triggered by skiers west of Invermere.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow continues to settle and bond. This new snow is sitting atop old wind-affected snow and weak, faceted grains.

The mid-snowpack is generally made up of faceted snow and various old crusts.

At the base of the snowpack, weak faceted grains and depth hoar are present, particularly in alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy with a trace of new snow, southwest alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with a trace of new snow, west alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with a trace of new snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with a trace of new snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

If triggered, this problem will likely be the full depth of the snowpack. Avoid shallow, rocky start zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2024 4:00PM

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