Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 18th, 2023–Jan 19th, 2023

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Tetrahedron.

At high elevations where the snow is deep and dry watch for isolated pockets of unstable snow. Use caution around terrain traps where even a small slide may have outsized consequences.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1 avalanches triggered by explosives in steep terrain.

Thanks for the observations and please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It is really helpful for forecasters!

Snowpack Summary

At treeline and above snow continues to accumulate, and settle with the warm temperatures. Near the peaks much as 100 cm has fallen in the past few days, but it's settled to half that. Storm snow amounts lessen and it becomes wetter or frozen at lower elevations, disappearing around 500 to 700 m.

Recent snow covers a rain runnelled crust. Last week's rain storm saturated the snowpack at all elevations and pretty much removed all layering.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night: Dry. Clearing. Freezing level falling to near 500 m. Alpine temps cooling to around -4. Light northwest wind.

Thursday: Dry. Mostly sunny. Freezing level steady near 500 m. Alpine temps remaining cool around -4. Light northwest wind.

Friday

Dry. Mix sun and clouds. Freezing level around 700 m and alpine temps just below zero. Light northwest wind.

Saturday

Incoming weather with around 25 mm precipitation forecast. Strong southerly winds. Freezing level around 700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

The problem is most likely at higher elevations on steeper slopes where more than 25 cm of snow accumulates, especially if it's dry or wind driven snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2