Avalanche Forecast
Expect dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid avalanche terrain during and after the storm.
Check out the forecaster's blog for details on how shifting your mindset can help you stay safe.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported since Sunday, however the storm has limited observations in this area.
Expect to find reactive storm slabs through the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
The new snow overlies a surface hoar layer particularly around treeline elevations and below. In sun-exposed terrain, surface hoar may rest atop a thin crust, while elsewhere it sits atop a mix of old wind-affected surfaces and weak, faceted snow.
A widespread crust with facets and/or surface hoar, buried in mid-January, is approximately 30 to 70 cm below the surface.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled with no concerns currently.
Weather Summary
Thursday night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h west switching to southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature - 8 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Sunday
Scattered cloud. 20 to 40 km/h northeast wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and wind will form reactive slabs atop a weak layer of surface hoar. Storm slabs could step down to a crust/surface hoar layer buried in mid January.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5