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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 14th, 2025–Jan 15th, 2025

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

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, McBride, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson.

Seek out sheltered snow to steer clear of the next round of wind slab formation. Older, deeper wind slabs may remain reactive at higher elevations where the new crust hasn't locked them down.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Check out these MIN reports for a description of active avalanche conditions in the Bijoux and Torpy areas on Sunday.

On Saturday a rider triggered a large wind slab and was fully buried against a tree. The victim was dug out very quickly by their party.

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred on Friday continuing into Saturday. Small to very large (size 3) storm slabs were reported. Also, one large cornice failure was reported on an east-northeast feature.

Snowpack Summary

10 - 15 cm of new snow should accumulate through Wednesday, burying a new surface crust should exist below about 1200 m. It's been found up to 1750 m in the Wells area. In exposed areas above the elevation of the new crust, new snow will bury recent wind slabs and otherwise wind-affected snow.

In sheltered areas, 30 - 50 cm of recent snow has been settling on a variety of layers, including surface hoar, crusts, and sugary facets. Wind slabs will likely stay reactive if they overlie these layers at higher elevations.

The middle and lower snowpack is generally strong with no weak layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, easing. Freezing level 1300 - 1500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level reaching 1800 m. Treeline temperature near 0 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with another round of flurries bringing 10 to 20 cm of new snow, including overnight amounts. 40 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Diminishing cloud and easing isolated flurries with up to 5 cm of new snow, including overnight. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature dropping to -14 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Sheltered slopes at lower elevations will offer the safest conditions.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

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.