Avalanche Forecast
Expect dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid avalanche terrain during and after the storm.
Check out the Forecaster Blog on how to manage the changing conditions.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slabs were reported yesterday.
We expect avalanche activity to increase in frequency and size through the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 50 cm of new snow overlies a surface hoar layer, particularly around treeline elevations and below. In sun-exposed terrain, surface hoar may rest atop a thin crust, while elsewhere it sits atop a mix of old wind-affected surfaces and weak, faceted snow.
A widespread crust with facets and/or surface hoar, buried in mid-January, is approximately 30 to 70 cm below the surface.
The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature - 15 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and wind have formed reactive slabs over a weak layer of surface hoar. Storm slabs could step down to a crust/surface hoar layer buried in mid January.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5