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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 11th, 2024–Jan 12th, 2024

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan, Whatshan.

There's a lot at stake in avalanche terrain right now with enough new snow for large avalanches and frigid temperatures. Check out our Forecasters' Blog for tips on managing the cold.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a natural avalanche cycle up to size 2.5 was reported Wednesday. During the day storm snow was very reactive to rider traffic, including remotely triggered avalanches to size 2. Most storm slab avalanches were 40-60 cm deep and many reportedly ran on surface hoar buried on Jan 4. A few size 1-2 wind slabs 30-60 cm deep were triggered by rider traffic, these occurred on north-to-east aspects above 2200 m.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 30-60 cm of new snow fell in the region early this week. It buried moderately wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas at higher elevations but mainly added to 30-60 cm of storm snow from Saturday. All this snow collectively sits on an aspect and elevation-dependent mix of crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Areas where surface hoar may be preserved are a concern.

A crust formed by early December rain is found ~70 cm deep, and an old layer of surface hoar 60-100 cm deep. Recent observations suggest triggering this layer is unlikely. The lower snowpack is variable throughout the region and weak basal facets are likely to be found on the ground in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mainly cloudy. Variable, mainly northwest alpine wind 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature -35°C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. North alpine wind 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature -30°C.

Saturday

Sunny. Variable alpine wind, gusting to 40 km/h at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -30°C.

Sunday

Increasing clouds. Northwest alpine wind 20-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -30°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.