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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2024–Jan 9th, 2024

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan, Whatshan.

Ongoing snowfall and elevated winds will create dangerous avalanche conditions on Tuesday. Stick to simple terrain that is free of overhead hazards.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We have many avalanche reports connected to the 30-60 cm of new snow that fell in the region at the end of the week. Here's a report from the action west of Revelstoke.

Professional reports echoed this MIN with a mix of numerous storm slab and dry loose releases, mainly to size 1.5 (small).

Looking forward, moderate to heavy snowfall and elevated winds should keep avalanche conditions active through Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 15-30 cm of new snow should accumulate in the region by end of day Tuesday. It will bury moderately wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs in exposed areas at elevation, but mainly add to 30-60 cm of storm snow from Saturday. This older snow sits on an aspect and elevation-dependent mix of crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Areas where surface hoar may be preserved are a concern.

A crust formed by early December rain is found ~70 cm deep, and an old layer of surface hoar 60 to 100 cm deep. Recent observations suggest triggering this layer is unlikely.

The lower snowpack is variable throughout the region and weak basal facets are likely to be found on the ground in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Cloudy with flurries bringing 5-15 cm of new snow. Southeast alpine winds 25-50 km/h.

Tuesday

Cloudy with continuing snowfall bringing another 5-15 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. Southwest alpine winds 20-50 km/h, easing. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Decreasing cloud and easing flurries bringing another 5-10 cm of new snow, mainly from overnight. Northwest alpine wind, 10-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -12°C.

Thursday

Cloudy with lingering flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow, including overnight amounts. Northwest or southwest alpine wind 5-25 km/h. Treeline temperature -20°C to -25°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 loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

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.