Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bchristie, Avalanche Canada

Email

Start with small slopes, and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks as you move into wind-exposed terrain.

Be cautious as you gather information after this warm, stormy period.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday.

Looking forward to Thursday, we expect that human-triggered avalanches will be likely anywhere that wind has redistributed dry snow into thicker, more reactive slabs, potentially over a hard, slippery crust. North and east-facing features are currently the most likely to be wind-loaded.

Snowpack Summary

Strong southerly alpine winds have likely formed reactive slabs at treeline and above on north and east-facing terrain.

Storm snow totals around 35-50 cm by the end of the day Tuesday, with uncertain freezing levels in White Pass.

Freezing levels were up to 1700 m over the weekend (possibly only 1200 m in White Pass). In the Wheaton area on Tuesday, our field team found a strong surface crust up to 1200 m.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -15°C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 1-3 cm of snow expected. Light southeast ridgetop wind, switching to southwest by the afternoon. Treeline low around -20 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, possibly clearing in the afternoon. Trace of snow expected. Light west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -25 °C.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -25 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong southwest wind likely redistributed recent storm snow into reactive wind slabs on north and east-facing terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2024 4:00PM

Login