Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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Investigate the bond of the recent snow and be most suspect in open areas, around ridges, or in loaded start zones.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, skiers reported triggering sluffing with the fresh snow. Further west, Whistler-Blackcomb avalanche control reported reactive storm slabs to size 1.

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm snowfall accumulated by Saturday with strong southwesterly wind, deeply loading lee features. 30-60 cm of recent and settling snow covers the Dec 30 crust; this crust is more prominent at treeline and below, and varies in thickness and strength across the forecast area.

The Dec 20 crust is now down 50-100 cm, covered with facets and isolated surface hoar. This layer is trending dormant with the last avalanches occurring on Dec 31st (in areas south and west of Pemberton)

Snowpack depths are 80-120 cm around treeline and decrease rapidly below.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly clear skies with no precipitation. Northwest ridgetop wind decreasing to 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny with no precipitation. Light northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with light flurries. Increasing southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with flurries. 5-10 cm of snow. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Snow fell with strong southwesterly wind, and quickly developed reactive slabs. Wind transitions northerly, suspect areas will be around ridges and (previously) wind-affected terrain, and in pockets with deep depositions.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2024 4:00PM

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