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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 15th, 2025–Jan 16th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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 Rockies, McBride, Sugarbowl, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson.

Sheltered lower elevations will offer the best, safest riding during Thursday's storm. Avoid increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain over the day. Danger should steadily increase.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Check out these MIN reports for a description of active avalanche conditions in the Bijoux and Torpy areas on Sunday.

On Saturday a rider triggered a large wind slab and was fully buried against a tree. The victim was dug out very quickly by their party.

New snow and strong wind through Thursday should revive active avalanche conditions for the coming few days.

Snowpack Summary

15 - 25 cm of new snow should accumulate through Thursday, adding to light amounts already burying a new surface crust below about 1200 m. In exposed areas above the elevation of the new crust, new snow will bury recent wind slabs and otherwise wind-affected snow.

In sheltered areas, 30 - 50 cm of recent snow has been settling on a variety of layers, including surface hoar, crusts, and sugary facets. Wind slabs will likely stay reactive where they overlie these layers at higher elevations.

The middle and lower snowpack is generally strong with no weak layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 60 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling from 1900 m to 1200 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 40 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Diminishing cloud and easing isolated flurries with up to 5 cm of new snow, including overnight amounts. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature dropping to -14 °C.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Sheltered slopes at lower elevations will offer the safest conditions.
  • Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.

Problems

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.