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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 14th, 2024–Jan 15th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Strong winds built wind slabs at upper elevations that may remain reactive to human triggering.

Sheltered, lower-elevation terrain will provide the best riding!

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, although reports have been limited.

We did hear the ice has been nice!

Wind slabs may still be reactive to human triggering in wind-loaded features at upper elevations.

Check out this MIN report for recent conditions near Croteau Lake.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 90 cm of previous snow has settled and is starting to break down with the cold temperatures.

On Mount Cokely, reports are of a breakable wind crust on the surface all the way to ridgetop.

The storm last week that brought the snow was accompanied by strong northwest winds, so you may find lingering pockets of dense and deep wind slab in wind-exposed, lee terrain.

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

Treeline snow depth ranges from 100 to 180 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly at low elevations where there has been more rainfall.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

A few clouds with no new snow, north alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures around -10 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny with no new snow, north alpine winds 10 to 15 km/h, treeline temperatures -4 °C.

Tuesday

Increasing cloud with snow beginning late in the day, south alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -4 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow, south alpine winds 60 to 70 km/h, treeline temperatures -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid lee and cross loaded slopes in the alpine.

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.