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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 20th, 2024–Jan 21st, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, Tantalus, North Shore, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

Heavy precipitation is expected for the next few days. Watch for rapidly changing conditions and signs of instability.

Be prepared to dial back your terrain choices.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred on Friday and Saturday with heavy loading from snow, rain and wind.

There were reports of small wet slab avalanches on the North Shore on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Rain and warm temperatures have impacted the snowpack to mountain top, creating wet and heavy snow at lower elevations.

A crust with softer snow overlying it exists down 40 to 60 cm. The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded.

Check out Friday's North Shore Snowpack Update for a deeper dive into the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with precipitation beginning in the early morning. Alpine winds southeast 15 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level falling to 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 15 to 40 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Alpine wind southeast 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 20 to 30 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Alpine wind southwest 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 15 to 20 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Alpine wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.