Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 3rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanches are most likely where more than 20 cm of new snow falls on terrain that has been smoothed out by preserved snow.
Challenging travel conditions exist at treeline and below.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported.
If you head into the backcountry by any method of travel, please consider submitting observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Expect the upper snowpack to be dry snow in the alpine and at treeline, and a mix of moist snow and frozen crusts below treeline. The new snow is burying a mix of wet, frozen, or settling snow from recent freezing level fluctuations.
In the warmest, wettest parts of this forecast area, with lower elevation ridgetops and peaks that are still tree covered, the snowpack has been mostly melted by recent rain. Other than shaded gullies that may hold snow, much of the terrain is below threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 12-20 cm of snow above 1000 m. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -2° C.
Thursday
Cloudy. 10-20 cm of snow expected above 750 m. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -2 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 8-15 cm of snow expected above 750 m. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy. 40-60 cm of snow expected above 500 m (mostly overnight). Strong northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Likely most reactive in high treeline and low alpine where the new snow is falling on a hard crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Most likely in lower treeline terrain where rain or wet snow are falling on old snow instead of bare ground. This may not end up being much of a problem if the freezing level is as low as forecasted.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 4th, 2024 4:00PM
