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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 20th, 2024–Jan 21st, 2024

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

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

While warmer temperatures have helped the snow to settle, higher elevations may still hold slabs triggerable by a rider.

Watch for changing conditions as you shift elevation and aspect.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday explosive control produced size 2 avalanches from steep (unrideable terrain).

This MIN report observed a natural avalanche cycle from steep terrain with Friday's warm temperatures.

Looking forward we expect reactivity to continue in high elevation wind affected features. If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures and light rain have created a variable surface crust observed to around 2000 m in most areas.

Previous southerly winds built wind slabs on north and east facing slopes at treeline and above. Warm conditions have promoted settling and bonding of the recent snowfall to old surfaces, however reactivity may continue where slabs sit over weak (faceted) snow.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of various crusts and layers of facets or surface hoar. Reports indicate these are not currently a concern

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with trace snow amounts, southwest winds 10 to 20 km/h. Freezing levels around 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h. Freezing levels between 1000-1500 m, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with trace snow amounts, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h. Freezing levels between 1000-1500 m, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with trace snow amounts, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h. Freezing levels between 1000-1500 m, treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

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.