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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 15th, 2025–Jan 16th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sky Pilot.

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers in isolated locations below alpine ridgetops.

Minimize exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, several, size 1 and size 2 loose wet avalanches were reported, triggered by warm temperatures and solar input. As temperatures cool Wednesday night avalanche activity is expected to subside.

On Monday, a size 1 skier-triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on an east aspect at 1800 m. The wind slab overlay a layer of small surface hoar 25 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

At 2200 m and below, a melt-freeze crust exists on all aspects. In the alpine and exposed treeline, this crust overlies wind-affected surfaces. On sheltered north aspects, the crust overlies faceted snow. Above 2200 m dry snow may remain preserved on northerly aspects.

10 to 30 cm down is a small weak layer of surface hoar or facets. This layer remains a concern in isolated areas where a wind slab overlies it.

An otherwise right-side-up snowpack appears to be bonding well to a crust buried 70 to 100 cm deep. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and bonded with no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Increasing cloud. 35 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing levels drop to 900 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with light flurries, 1 cm. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing levels drop to the valley bottom.

Friday

Mainly sunny. 20 to 25 km/h northerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Increasing cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.