Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 29th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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The upper snowpack has been saturated and weakened by rain. Avoid high-consequence avalanche terrain while above-freezing temperatures continue.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous wet slab, wet loose, and storm slab avalanches were naturally or explosive-triggered on Sunday, anywhere from size 1 to 3.

Snowpack Summary

Rainfall and warm temperatures have saturated and weakened the upper snowpack. At treeline and below the snowpack is largely isothermal.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is generally well-settled and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 30 to 40 mm of rain or wet snow, south alpine winds 50 to 80 km/h, freezing levels around 2100 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with trace amounts of rain or wet snow, south alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, freezing levels around 2100 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 mm of rain or wet snow, southeast alpine winds 30 to 60 km/h, freezing levels around 2100 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 mm of rain or snow, southeast alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, freezing levels around 1600 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.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Recent rainfall has weakened the upper snowpack. Expect loose wet avalanches in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wet Slabs

An icon showing Wet Slabs

Rainfall has added a significant load to the upper snowpack. This is a particular concern where heavy, wet slabs sit atop a crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2024 4:00PM

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