Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Avalanche danger starts where the crust disappears. Be ready to manage wind slabs on a range of aspects if you venture into the region's higher terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.

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Snowpack Summary

A few cm of new snow has done little to bury crust that exists up to 1850 m in the Wells area. You may find it 5 - 15 cm deep. In areas on the higher end of this range, new wind slabs may be large enough to require more cautious management.

The crust has capped 20 -30 cm of recent snow sitting on a variety of layers, including surface hoar, crusts, and sugary facets. This layer is a concern above the elevation of the crust. Wind slabs formed over this layer in the alpine may be reactive.

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

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 15 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low temperature -12 °C.

Sunday

Becoming sunny. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline high temperature -12 °C.

Monday

Mainly sunny. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline high temperature around -8 °C with a possible temperature inversion.

Tuesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing less than 5 cm of new snow. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature falling to -10 °C as a temperature inversion breaks down.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slabs exist in exposed terrain in areas where more than a few cm of new snow accumulated in last week's storms. The greater the depth and slab properties of the new snow, the greater the hazard.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 19th, 2025 4:00PM

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