Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

Email

Another 30 cm and strong wind are driving the avalanche danger. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Deep instabilities are present and have produced recent large avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, numerous naturally triggered persistent slab avalanches (up to size 3) were reported. A skier remotely triggered a size 1.5 persistent slab from 50 m away.

Natural avalanche activity is expected to continue on Wednesday and avalanche terrain should be avoided.

Snowpack Summary

Another 30 + cm is expected Wednesday bringing storm snow totals up to 80 cm over the past few days. Strong to extreme west through southwest wind has created widespread wind effect, with deeper deposits of snow on leeward slopes.

Down 70 to 120 cm a layer of surface hoar, facets, or a thin crust exists.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and facets overlying a crust is buried 120 to 150 cm deep. This layer remains reactive, producing large and dangerous avalanches.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Snow 10 cm. 30 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

Wednesday

Snow up to 30 to 40 cm. 45 to 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud, possible flurries up to 5 cm. 25 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Watch for newly formed and reactive storm slabs within the new snow. Potential remains for slabs to step down to deeper persistent weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The persistent slab avalanche problem is and has resulted in large to very large avalanches (up to 3). Expect with the increasing snowfall and snow load, this problem will continue to remain likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2025 4:00PM

Login