Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 9th, 2025 4:00PM

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

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Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed in the past few days. Conditions will change on Friday as new snow and wind form fresh, reactive slabs.

The most notable activity in the past week has been large glide slab avalanches. Glide slabs are hard to forecast. If you see a glide crack, simply avoid being under it.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow overlies a thin surface crust everywhere except northerly slopes in the alpine.

A substantial crust up to 30 cm thick sits 50 to 90 cm deep, well-bonded to surrounding snow. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well consolidated, with several well-bonded crusts scattered throughout.

Treeline snow depths range from roughly 150 to 220 cm around the Coquihalla and 100 to 150 cm around Manning Park.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Increasing cloud cover. 40 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level drops to 1200 m.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow. 20 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 15 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 15 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Expect wind slabs to build throughout the day on Friday as new snow and wind impact the region.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 10th, 2025 4:00PM

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