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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2025–Jan 9th, 2025

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary.

This is generally a good time to get out and explore the backcountry.

Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs before committing.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new reports of avalanches since Monday when explosive avalanche control produced several storm slabs up to size 2. Notably, these avalanches did not step down to the December persistent weak layer.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

Isolated wind slabs may exist in the alpine due to redistribution of surface snow by west winds gusting into the moderate range. In sheltered areas, snow surfaces are faceting, preserving the good quality riding. On steep solar aspects, a thin melt-freeze crust covers the snow surface. Check this MIN from Norn for more details.

Down 50 to 120 cm weak layers of surface hoar or a facet/crust combo persist in the mid-snowpack. There has been no recent avalanche activity on this layer and snowpack tests indicate it is slowly gaining strength.

The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Clear. Northwest ridgetop wind easing 40 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperatures around -5 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind shifting west. Treeline temperatures around -5 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • This is a good time for exploring terrain.

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.