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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 28th, 2024–Jan 29th, 2024

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

Regions

Cariboos, Clearwater, Quesnel, South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Choose conservative terrain.

Wet loose avalanches are likely to be widespread and increasing in size throughout the day.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the past week, we've seen numerous avalanches on the mid January facet layer detailed in the snowpack summary. Most recent activity has been rider or explosive triggered in wind-loaded terrain features, up to size 2.5. This activity is expected to continue with elevated freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall continues to accumulate in the alpine and be redistributed by southerly winds. Elevated freezing levels and rain have moistened the surface at treeline and below.

A layer of facets formed during the mid January cold snap sits 30-50 cm deep. This layer has been actively producing avalanches and is expected to continue as it is stressed by the new load.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with light rain expected, south alpine wind 25 to 45km/h, freezing level around 1800 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with light rain expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 50 km/h, freezing level rising to around 3000 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of snow in the alpine, south alpine wind 40 to 60 km/h, freezing level around 2700 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow in the alpine, south alpine wind 25 to 50 km/h, freezing level around 2400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Extra caution for areas experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.

Problems

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.

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.