Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 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.
kbakker,
Avalanche Canada
With continued heavy rain and snow, watch for rapidly changing conditions and signs of instability.
If you find accumulations greater than 30 cm, consider the danger to be HIGH.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A widespread natural wet avalanche cycle occurred on Friday and Saturday with heavy loading from snow, rain and wind.
Snowpack Summary
Rain and warm temperatures have impacted the snowpack to mountain top, creating wet and heavy snow. Fluctuating freezing levels likely have created melt freeze crusts within the new snow.
A crust with softer snow overlying it exists down 40 to 60 cm. The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded.
Check out Friday's North Shore Snowpack Update for a deeper dive into the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 20 cm of snow at higher elevations. Alpine wind southeast 30 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 20 to 30 cm of snow at higher elevations. Alpine wind southeast 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 10 cm of snow at higher elevations. Alpine wind southwest 40 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 15 to 20 cm of snow at higher elevations. Alpine wind south 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Heavy snowfall with moderate winds overnight and through the day will create fresh storm slabs. Expect deeper and touchier slabs on north aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Rain has impacted the snowpack. Wet loose avalanches may be triggered in steep terrain, and could run easily on the underlying crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
