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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 13th, 2024–Jan 14th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Strong winds have built wind slabs on south-facing slopes.

Seek out sheltered terrain for the best riding!

Confidence

High

Snowpack Summary

Up to 90 cm of recent snow has been transported into wind slabs on south- and east-facing slopes by strong northwest winds. Expect to find pockets of dense and deep wind slab in wind-loaded terrain and crusts or bare ground in high-elevation exposed terrain.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, with numerous hard melt-freeze crusts.

Treeline snow depths generally range from 50 to 150 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly below 500 m where there has been more rainfall.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

A few clouds with no new snow, northwest alpine winds 30 to 60 km/h, treeline temperatures around -16 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny with no new snow, northwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperatures -8 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny with no new snow, variable alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -8 °C.

Tuesday

Increasing cloud with no new snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h. An above-freezing layer brings warm air, treeline temperatures reach -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.