Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 3rd, 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 wind slabs in leeward terrain features at upper elevations. Be wary of thin or rocky start zones where wind slabs may trigger easily over weak grains or a slippery crust.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported since a size 2 wind slab on Tuesday in the Duffey area. It was triggered in a wind-loaded pocket near a ridgetop on a northerly aspect. Check out the MIN report here.
Snowpack Summary
Low density surface snow has likely seen some redistribution by moderate east to southwest winds at upper elevations.
The upper and mid snowpack are generally faceted with a couple of crusts in the top meter. The thin upper crust extends up to 1900 m and is most prominent on solar aspects. The second crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep and may have a layer of surface hoar sitting above it. There is uncertainty over its reactivity. It is more likely to be a concern in wind-affected, thin, and rocky start zones at higher elevations.
Snow depths at treeline are roughly 100 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. Southwest ridgetop wind increasing 10 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
5 to 10 cm of snow overnight then clearing. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Sunny. <10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °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.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for newly formed wind slabs in leeward terrain features at upper elevations. Be wary of thin or rocky start zones where wind slabs may sit over weak facets or a slippery crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 4th, 2025 4:00PM
