Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 7th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Strong west winds will redistribute available snow into fresh wind slabs at upper elevations.
Evaluate terrain carefully for wind slabs before committing.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
As of 4 pm on Tuesday, no new avalanches have been reported in the region.
On Sunday, evidence of several natural persistent slab avalanches triggered by cornice failure was observed up to size 2. See this MIN for details and photos of two of these avalanches.
Avalanche control triggered a size 2 persistent slab avalanche in a treeline feature at 1900 m on a north aspect.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you see by submitting a MIN!
Snowpack Summary
2 to 10 cm of low-density snow sits atop a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected surfaces, surface hoar and facets on northerly aspects and a thin breakable sun crust on southerly aspects. Moderate westerly winds will redistribute available snow into fresh wind slabs at upper elevations.
A weak layer buried in early December can be found down 50 to 90 cm. On shaded slopes, it consists of weak surface hoar or faceted crystals, while on south-facing slopes, it combines a sun crust with facets.
The snowpack base is composed of a thick crust and facets in many areas.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 2cm. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 cm. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Friday
Mainly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 4 cm. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Overnight strong west winds will redistribute available snow into wind slabs in lee terrain. Wind slabs are most sensitive to triggering when they are newly formed. Look for signs of wind transport as you move through the terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers in the mid-pack persist and continue to produce sporadic persistent slab avalanches. While this avalanche problem is becoming more stubborn to trigger, it comes with serious consequences if you do.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 8th, 2025 4:00PM
