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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 19th, 2024–Jan 20th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, South Coast Inland, Stein, Taseko.

Watch for wind slab on all aspects as you gain elevation.

Sheltered terrain at treeline and below should hold good riding conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Operators reported small loose dry sluffing in sheltered terrain, and cracking in wind affected features. This indicates that specific wind loaded features may still hold reactive conditions.

Numerous natural wind slab avalanches were reported on Wednesday - to size 1 at treeline and above, on north and east facing terrain from the southerly winds.

If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Recent low-density snow continues to be redistributed by variable alpine winds. In most areas, this has buried hard wind affected and faceted snow, which, may create a weak bond with the storm snow.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of various crusts and layers of facets or surface hoar. Reports indicate these are not currently a concern, however uncertainty exists over whether rising temperatures could increase the reactivity of these buried weak layers in alpine areas where the snowpack is thin.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest winds 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures around -4 °C as freezing levels remain below 1500 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with trace snow amounts, southwest winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing levels rise to 1800 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with trace snow amounts, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with trace snow amounts, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures may reach +3 °C as freezing levels rise towards 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Low-density snow is being redistributed by variable winds, most recently from the southwest. Watch for signs of wind loading near ridgelines and mid slope rollovers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5