Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 31st, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
The new snow needs time to bond to the old snow, avalanches remain possible in steep terrain.
Deeply buried layers are still a concern in very large alpine terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
One very large natural avalanche was observed on Wednesday (size 3.5) on a northerly aspect at 1800 m. This likely failed on the buried weak layer from December described in the snowpack summary.
Ongoing sluffing of the new snow and small windslabs (less than size 2) in steep areas are being observed throughout the region.
Snowpack Summary
There has been 20 to 40 cm of new snow since Wednesday, with southwest winds depositing more in lee areas. This new snow fell on a mix of:
Large surface hoar crystals in sheltered spots at treeline and below
Crusts on solar slopes
Old wind-affected snow
These types of snow may result in a weak layer moving forward.
A layer of surface hoar from early January is buried 20 to 60 cm deep, though it's uncertain whether this layer will persist.
100 to 200 cm deep in the snowpack are layers of crust, facets, and possibly surface hoar that were buried in December.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 40 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards.
- Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
Problems
Storm Slabs
20 to 40 cm of recent snow may bond slowly to underlying layers. Storm slabs could be extra deep and reactive on wind-loaded features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The 100 to 200 cm deep weak layer from early December continues to produce large avalanches
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 1st, 2025 4:00PM
