Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2022 4:00PM

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

jonas hoke,

Glacier.

Ongoing flurries and strong winds will keep storm slabs reactive through the weekend. Minimize your exposure to avalanche terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A warm front passing to the North gives ongoing flurries, warming temps and strong wind.

Tonight: Isolated flurries. Alpine Low -21*C. Strong Southwest ridge winds.

Saturday: Flurries (5cm). High -13*C. Strong SW wind.

Sunday: Flurries (5cm), sunny breaks PM. Low -12*C, High -2*C. Strong W wind.

Monday: Sunny periods, Low -7*C, High -3*C, Mod SW wind.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 65cm of fresh storm snow has fallen, with up to 10 cm more forecast to fall by Saturday evening. New snow, warming temps and strong gusty wind is building fresh slabs over the cold snow below. The Dec 1 crust (now buried up 2m deep) has not been reactive lately, despite having faceted snow above and below it (especially in shallow areas).

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural and artillery controlled avalanche cycle occurred Friday morning. Avalanches up to size 3 were reaching the valley floor.

A lower elevation (1450m starting zone) slab avalanche ran size 3 on Friday in Mt Revelstoke park, and covered the closed Trans-Canada highway - this occurred in an infrequently active avalanche path.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh snow overlies a previously cold and facetted upper snowpack. This new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3.5

Loose Dry

Expect loose snow avalanches in steep sheltered terrain. With lots of unsettled snow in the upper snowpack these could entrain significant mass.

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.
Use safe ski cutting techniques to enter your line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2022 4:00PM