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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 9th, 2025–Jan 10th, 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 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.

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, McBride, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Avalanche danger is highest in areas that have seen consistent snowfall this week.

Weather has varied around the region, so verify conditions in your area.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a 30 cm deep and 150 m wide rider triggered wind slab avalanche was reported near Pine Pass. Also, northwest of McBride, several large (up to size 2) natural avalanches were reported on east and southeast slopes at treeline and below.

We expect that more snow and continued strong winds will continue to build reactive slabs on Friday, and weak layers in the upper snowpack may be reaching a tipping point.

Snowpack Summary

Strong wind will likely continue to form the recent snow into fresh wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

30 to 60 cm of settling storm snow is resting on a mix of surfaces formed in late December or early January, including surface hoar, crusts, and facets. In some places these layers are producing avalanches as the increasing snow load stresses them.

The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well settled.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with 10 to 25 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Above freezing layer around 2000 m breaking down. Treeline low around -4 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow, hotspots of 15 cm or more. Less on the east slopes of the rockies. 30 to 45 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Partly cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow. 25 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Partly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 25 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.

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.