Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2025–Jan 13th, 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

North Columbia, South Columbia, Blue River, Clearwater, Premier, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Central Selkirk, Gold, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Wind slabs may remain triggerable longer than normal due to weak surface hoar underneath.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday there were numerous, small accidentally triggered wind slab avalanches. Surface hoar was noted as the failure layer.

Recently, there were reports of glide cracks opening up and large glide slab avalanches. Notably more than usual.

Snowpack Summary

Saturday's moderate northwest wind has affected the surface in open areas at all elevations.

In sheltered terrain, 30 to 40 cm of settling snow sits on a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals, possibly even into the alpine. On sunny slopes, there may be a crust as well.

A crust/facet/surface hoar layer buried in early December may be found 90 to 160 cm deep.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with 1 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

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.