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 and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slab releases remain a concern in the alpine, continue to assess as you travel. Steep, rocky, shallow terrain are the most likely trigger areas for the persistent weak layer.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Wind slab avalanche activity continues to be reported in the region. Reports have identified them to be more reactive where they overlie a surface hoar layer. Check out this MIN for more information on wind slab activity in the Jumbo Pass area.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 2 to 4 cm of new snow has buried various surfaces of sun-crust, surface hoar, and wind-affected snow. Wind slabs can still be found in lee features over a surface hoar layer.
A weak layer of facets buried in early December is on average 60 to 90 cm deep. In the shallower eastern parts of the Purcells, this layer is closer to 30 cm deep. This layer continues to cause occasional large avalanches.
The snowpack base consists of a thick crust and facets in many areas.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
Partly cloudy. Isolated flurries, 2 to 4 cm. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Partly cloudy. Isolated flurries,2 to 4 cm. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs formed on the weekend are becoming more difficult to trigger but may be reactive where they overlie surface hoar or a melt-freeze crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The early December weak layer remains a concern in areas with a shallow snowpack, particularly on steep rocky slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 16th, 2025 4:00PM
