Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 29th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Warm rain, salty tears

Drowning snowpack disappears

Melting, falling down

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Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A widespread loose wet avalanche cycle is expected to have occurred throughout the monsoon. Observations have been limited aside from small loose wet activity out of steep, rocky treeline terrain near Arrowsmith and Strathcona on Friday and Saturday.

Natural activity may slow down during the break in rain today, but human triggering remains likely.

Snowpack Summary

Rain has saturated the snowpack to mountaintop. Below treeline, the snowpack has melted out almost entirely, leaving it below threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Cloudy with continued rain, south alpine winds 100 km/h, treeline temperature 4 °C, freezing level 2000 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with scattered showers, southwest alpine winds 40-50 km/h, treeline temperature 5 °C, freezing level 2300 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with heavy rain, southwest alpine winds 80-90 km/h, treeline temperature 5 °C, freezing level 2100 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with moderate rain turning to snow, southwest alpine winds 80-90 km/h, treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing levels around 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

High water content and low cohesion in the snowpack means loose wet avalanches can be expected in steep terrain.

Natural activity may slow down during the break in rain today, but saturated snow remains primed for human triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2024 4:00PM