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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 27th, 2020–Jan 28th, 2020

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

Cariboos.

Recent fresh snow has been redistributed into pockets of wind slab at treeline and in the alpine. Use caution in wind exposed terrain.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / southeast wind, 20-30 km/h / alpine low temperature near -9

TUESDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1300 m

WEDNESDAY - Cloudy with flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1400 m

THURSDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / southwest wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1300 m

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity is expected to lessen on Tuesday, with wind loaded pockets being the most likely areas to trigger an avalanche.

On Sunday there were several reports of storm and wind slab avalanches size 1.5-2.5 on all aspects and at all elevations.

On Saturday there was one notable report of a size 3 persistent slab avalanche southwest of Valemount that was remotely triggered (triggered from a distance) by a group of people.

Over the past four days there have been reports of numerous size 1-2.5 storm slab avalanches on all aspects at all elevations. These were mostly natural avalanches, with a few explosives triggered avalanches as well.

Snowpack Summary

Regular snowfall over the past week brought about 30-50 cm of snow to the region. Moderate to strong southerly winds and warm temperatures have promoted slab development at treeline and in the alpine. 

Recent rain at lower elevations means that the surface may be either a melt-freeze crust, or wet snow below about 1500 m.

There is a weak layer of surface hoar now buried 70 to 130 cm. This layer has produced very few recent avalanches in the region, though it could still be triggered in isolated areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.

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.