Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 15th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for hard wind slabs in exposed alpine areas. Start with small features before moving into bigger terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, several, size 1 and size 2 loose wet and glide slab avalanches were reported triggered by warm temperatures and solar input. As temperatures cool Wednesday night avalanche activity is expected to subside.
On Tuesday, a size 1.5 skier-triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on a north aspect at 1900 m. The wind slab released on a weak layer of surface hoar found below.
Snowpack Summary
At 2200 m and below, the moist snow surface is refreezing into a thick crust. In the alpine and exposed treeline, this crust overlies old wind slabs and wind-affected surfaces. On sheltered northerly aspects in the alpine, dry snow may exist.
10 to 30 cm down is a small weak layer of surface hoar or facets. This layer remains a concern in isolated areas where a wind slab overlies it.
A crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep and may have a layer of surface hoar sitting above it. Recent tests show this layer as unreactive.
The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled.
Snow depths at treeline are roughly 100 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Increasing cloud. 35 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing levels drop to 1000 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries, 1 cm. 10 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing levels drop to the valley bottom.
Friday
Mainly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. 5 to 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
- A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
- If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Reports of wind slab avalanche activity are decreasing however where wind slabs overlie a weak layer of facets or surface hoar they may remain reactive to human triggering.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 16th, 2025 4:00PM
