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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2025–Jan 13th, 2025

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

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Solar input and rising temperatures in the alpine may trigger a natural avalanche cycle on solar slopes.

Avoid steep, rocky, wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a natural size 2, wind slab avalanche was reported near Birkenhead. The avalanche occurred on a northeast aspect at 2100 m. The crown was 20 -40 cm deep.

A few natural and skier-triggered wind slab avalanches were reported on all aspects. Evaluate slopes individually for slabs before committing to them.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 30 cm of snow with strong southeast switching to northwest winds created wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain.

This new snow overlies a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes, faceted snow or large surface hoar in sheltered areas, and wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas.

A second crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep and may have a layer of surface hoar sitting above it. Recent tests show this layer as unreactive.

The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled.

Snow depths at treeline are roughly 100 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mainly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h westerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Mainly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. An above freezing layer develops between 1500 and 2500 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. An above freezing layer persists between 1500 and 2500 m.

Wednesday

Mainly sunny. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing levels 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.