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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 13th, 2025–Jan 14th, 2025

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 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 have large propagation due to a weak layer of surface hoar or crust underneath.

Conservative terrain choice is recommended.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a snowcat west of Revelstoke triggered a small slab which failed on the early December weak layer. It was at treeline on a west aspect.

As well as a very large (size 3) wind slab avalanche triggered by a skier in neighbouring Glacier Park.

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

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

Monday Night

Clear. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Clear, cloud building in the afternoon. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with 1 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °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.
  • Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.