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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 14th, 2025–Jan 15th, 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.

Not all wind slabs are created equal. Many recent avalanche reports point to a failure layer of surface hoar that will keep slabs reacting to human triggers for longer than you might expect.

Confidence

High

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.

We also have a report of a very large (size 3) wind slab avalanche triggered by a skier in neighbouring Glacier National Park.

On Saturday there were numerous, small accidentally triggered wind slab avalanches. A newer layer of surface hoar was noted as the failure plane.

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

Tuesday night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 10 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. An above freezing layer lingering between 1700 and 2500 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, increasing. Above freezing layer lingering between 1700 and 2500 m. Treeline temperature around 0 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries bringing 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Above freezing layer breaking down and treeline temperature falling to -6 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature falling to -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

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.