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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 28th, 2020–Jan 29th, 2020

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

Regions

Cariboos.

Storm slabs may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas at upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing, cracking and recent avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with clear periods / southwest wind, 30-50 km/h / alpine low temperature near -8

WEDNESDAY - Flurries, 10-20 cm / southwest wind, 60-80 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1200 m

THURSDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1500 m

FRIDAY - Flurries, 10-15 cm / southwest wind, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1700 m

Avalanche Summary

With new snow and strong winds on Wednesday, storm slab avalanches are likely, and will probably become increasingly reactive throughout the day.

On Saturday there was one notable report of a size 3 persistent slab avalanche southwest of Valemount that was remotely triggered (triggered from a distance) by a group of people.

Over the past five days there have been reports of numerous size 1-2.5 storm slab avalanches on all aspects at all elevations. These were mostly natural avalanches, with a few explosives triggered avalanches as well.

Snowpack Summary

Wednesday is set to bring 10-20 cm of snow with strong to extreme southwest winds. Fresh storm slabs will be forming throughout the day. 

Recent rain at lower elevations means that the new snow may fall on either a melt-freeze crust, or wet snow below about 1500 m.

There is a weak layer of surface hoar now buried 70 to 130 cm. This layer has produced very few recent avalanches in the region, though it could still be triggered in isolated areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

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.