Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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UPDATED TUESDAY AT 7:45 AM: Heavy snowfall overnight has created dangerous conditions, especially around Fernie.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Numerous storm slab avalanches, both naturally and explosive triggered, were reported over the weekend, up to size 2.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 20 to 40 cm of recent snow has buried a variety of crusts, surface hoar, old wind-affected surfaces, or facets.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled with a series of variable crusts and facetted snow.

The snow depth at treeline is 50 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -13 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow, east alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 30 cm of new snow.
  • Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
  • Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
  • Shooting cracks, whumphs and recent avalanches are strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Storm slab size and reactivity will increase with snow continuing through the day Tuesday.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2024 4:00PM