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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 6th, 2025–Jan 7th, 2025

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

Regions

Glacier.

Valley cloud may be hiding the sun, however it will be shining bright again tomorrow with a stronger alpine temperature inversion than today.

Anticipate increasing avalanche hazard throughout the day on steep solar slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday there was a size 1.5 wind slab avalanche in the alpine on Macdonald West Shoulder 4, likely skier triggered.

There have been a few reports of small (size 1 or less) rider-triggered avalanches over the past 2 days.

NE wind on Jan 3rd initiated a small, isolated natural avalanche cycle in the west end of the park up to size 2 from very steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Multiple crusts are present in the top 20cm of the snowpack from recent solar inputs and a freezing rain event Saturday afternoon.  

Lower density surface snow was redistributed by moderate wind from various directions this past week, which has created pockets of soft slabs in wind prone areas.

Overall the mid and lower snowpack is strong and well settled.

Weather Summary

High pressure and a strong alpine temperature inversion on Tue with valley cloud.

Tonight Cloudy w/ clear periods, Alp Low: -8°C. Wind: N10km/hr. Freezing level (FZL) valley bottom.

Tue Mix of sun & cloud. Alp high -1 °C. Wind: SW 25-35km/hr. FZL 1500m

Wed Cloudy w/ sunny periods, isolated flurries. Alp high -7°C. Wind W 20-30 km/hr. FZL 1100m

Thurs Cloudy w/ sunny periods. Alp high -3°C. Wind SW 15km/hr. FZL 1300m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

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.

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.