Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

Email

It's possible to remote-trigger very large avalanches from long distances away. Stick to simple terrain and avoid overhead slopes.

Check out this MIN report showcasing a recent avalanche.

 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new reports on Friday.

On Wednesday, a snowmobile remotely triggered a large (size 3) persistent slab avalanche from 100 m away near Bryant Lake. It was triggered from flat terrain at the col on an ENE aspect at 1500 m. The crown depth was 1 to 2 m, the width was 400 m and it ran 400 m down slope. It slid on the December facet/ crust interface.

Heads up through the weekend, human-triggered avalanches remain likely.

Snowpack Summary

By Thursday, there was up to 40 cm of new snow. Previous strong southwest winds have redistributed the storm snow onto leeward slopes, building thicker wind slabs. The recent snow combined with changing winds may start to load south-facing slopes.

A persistent weak layer composed of facets overlying a crust is buried 50 to 100 cm deep and may be reactive with the new load from snow and wind.

Total snow depths are around 160 to 190 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. 35 gusting to 75 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A reactive weak layer of facets over a crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep. Remote triggering from afar is possible and it will produce large and destructive avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Reactive wind slabs may exist. North through east slopes are very loaded with deep deposits of snow but changing winds could also load south facing slopes this weekend.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2025 4:00PM

Login