Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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New snow, accompanied by southerly winds, continues to accumulate over a recently formed melt-freeze crust.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Several natural and explosive-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on Saturday in alpine terrain, up to size 2.

At lower elevations, many loose wet avalanches occurred up to size 1, both natural and rider-triggered.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall continues, gradually accumulating above a widespread melt-freeze crust found at all elevations.

Below the crust is approximately 20 cm of upside-down snow sitting atop old wind-affected surfaces and faceted crystals from the recent period of extreme cold and outflow winds.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is generally well-settled and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

As a series of smaller low-pressure systems move through the region this week, expect warmer and wetter conditions in the southwest around Squamish and generally becoming drier and colder as they move northeast, towards the Whistler area.

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow and rain at valley bottoms, south alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with 2 to 8 cm of snow and rain at valley bottoms, southwest alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow and rain at valley bottoms, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 2 to 8 cm of snow and rain at valley bottoms, southwest alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Snow continues to accumulate atop a melt-freeze crust and may begin to form fresh storm and wind slabs at higher elevations.

A weak interface may persist down roughly 30 cm formed during the recent extreme cold conditions.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2024 4:00PM

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