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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2025–Jan 31st, 2025

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

Regions

West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Goat, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

New snow and wind will create dangerous avalanche conditions.

Learn more about shifting your mindset with the Forecaster's blog.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1 wind slab and loose dry avalanches have been reported since Tuesday, along with some loose wet avalanches from steep south aspects.

We expect to see an increase in avalanche activity as the new snow amounts increase.

Snowpack Summary

The new snow has fallen on a variety of old surfaces. There is surface hoar, most prevalent at treeline and below treeline elevations, a crust on sun-facing slopes, and 20 to 30 cm of low-density faceted snow in sheltered areas.

Dry January conditions have created a weak, faceted upper snowpack with multiple surface hoar and crust layers within the upper snowpack. These layers are a concern with the new snow amounts forecasted.

The mid and lower snowpack remains generally well-settled and strong, with no current concerns or significant instability noted.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Mostly cloudy with up 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

Scattered cloud with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 15 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.
  • Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.