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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 18th, 2024–Jan 19th, 2024

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

North Columbia, South Columbia, Clearwater, Jordan, Shuswap, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan, Whatshan.

Storm slabs have been reactive to human triggering, particularly in wind loaded terrain. Where a slab is not found dry loose avalanches are likely.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, numerous natural and human-triggered storm slabs (size 1-2) were reported in the alpine and treeline. Where the storm snow remained loose and uncohesive, widespread dry loose activity was reported with skier traffic in steep terrain.

Look forward to Friday, storm slab reactivity is expected to persist, especially in wind-affected terrain. Dry loose power sluffing may be the name of the game in most places that are sheltered from the wind.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30 cm of recent storm snow has buried a variety of snow surfaces. It sits above unconsolidated faceted snow, surface hoar and firm wind-pressed snow in open terrain at treeline and above.

Down 60-80 cm, a crust, facet and or surface hoar layer exists. This may become a problem once the snow above starts to stiffen and form a slab.

130+ cm down another surface hoar layer exists that was buried in early December. This seems to be of most concern above 2000 m where a robust crust doesn't exist above it.

Weak basal facets are likely to be found on the ground in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mainly clear, with cloud cover increasing in the early morning and no new snow. Alpine wind light from the southeast. Treeline temperature around -15 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with snowfall, up to 10 cm of accumulation. Alpine wind south 15 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature rising to -8 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with light snowfall, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Alpine wind south 10 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature rising to -5 C.

Sunday

Cloudy with light snowfall, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Alpine wind south 10 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature rising to -5 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
  • Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.