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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 22nd, 2025–Jan 23rd, 2025

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

Regions

Cariboos, Clearwater, Quesnel.

Wind-sheltered terrain below treeline will have the lowest hazard and softest snow for riding.

Use caution when entering wind-affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, north of Clearwater, a rider triggered a small (size 1) wind slab on a steep southeast-facing alpine slope.

Reports have been limited, share your observations to the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

5 to 15 cm of recent snow may be sitting on a crust that exists up to 1850 m in the Wells area. This new snow is likely being redistributed in exposed terrain. An additional 5 to 10 cm is expected to fall on Thursday.

A layer of surface hoar and/or sugary facets may be found sitting around 20 to 40 cm below the snow surface. This layer is most concerning above 1800 m where there is no crust covering it. Additionally, wind slabs forming over this layer in the alpine may be more reactive.

The middle and lower snowpack is generally strong with no weak layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 10 to 15km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

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.