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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2024–Jan 13th, 2024

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

Regions

Blue River, Clearwater, Premier, Clemina, Esplanade, North Monashee, North Selkirk.

It's cold... If you do decide to head out, stick to easier and shorter objectives.

Carefully consider the terrain you are travelling in as there are avalanche problems at all elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, multiple large explosive controlled avalanches to size 3 were reported in the region that had impressive propagation. Wednesday avalanche reports documented a natural storm slab cycle averaging size 1-2, with a few size 2.5 avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 30-40 cm of new snow fell in the region Monday night through Tuesday. It buried moderately wind-affected snow in exposed areas at higher elevations and otherwise added to about 50 cm of recent storm snow. All this snow overlies a variety of old surfaces, but sheltered terrain where it may overlie preserved surface hoar, is the most concerning. Below 1600m a crust is present beneath the storm snow.

Two additional surface hoar layers in the top 2 m of the snowpack are diminishing in importance. The deeper of the two likely has a robust crust above it, below treeline. The depth of the snowpack varies greatly throughout the region and weak basal facets are present at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear. Northwest alpine wind 10-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -33°C.

Saturday

Sunny. Variable alpine wind 10 -30 km/h. Treeline temperature -25°C.

Sunday

Partially cloudy. Northwest alpine wind 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -23°C.

Monday

Sunny. Northwest alpine wind 30-60 km/h. Treeline temperature -25°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.