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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 4th, 2024–Jan 5th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
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

Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.

Avalanche danger will increase over the day. Dial your terrain choices back as snow accumulates.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Looking forward, new slabs may rapidly form with new snow and strong wind on Friday. Assess for slab properties and dial back your terrain choices if you note instability.

Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

Somewhere around 20 to 40 cm of snow is forecast to accumulate by Friday afternoon with strong wind. This snow could rapidly form storm slabs above the rain-snow line. The slabs will likely be thickest and touchiest in lee terrain features adjacent to ridges.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong and hosts numerous hard melt-freeze crusts.

Treeline snow depths generally range from 50 to 150 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly below 1000 m. Traveling on skis is almost impossible below treeline.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm snow, southwest treeline wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -2 ºC, freezing level 1000 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm snow, southwest treeline wind 60 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -2 ºC, freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 3 cm snow, northwest treeline wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -3 ºC, freezing level 900 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny with no precipitation, northwest treeline wind 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -4 ºC, freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
  • Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New slabs may quickly form during stormy conditions. Assess for slab properties in any consequential terrain before committing. Dial your terrain choices back as the snow accumulates, particularly in steep terrain near ridges.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2