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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2025–Jan 13th, 2025

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

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Tetrahedron.

Solar input and rising temperatures in the alpine may trigger a natural avalanche cycle on solar slopes.

Minimize exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported by 4 pm on Sunday.

Forecasters expect rising freezing levels and solar input will cause a natural avalanche cycle in steep solar terrain on Monday. Monitor rising temperatures throughout the day and look for signs of instability increasing.

Snowpack Summary

On northerly aspercts in the alpine 20 cm of dry storm snow may still be preserved. Shifting winds have redistributed this snow into wind slabs on various aspects in exposed areas. At the treeline, 2 cm of new snow covers a supportive crust.

Storm snow overlies a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes, faceted snow or surface hoar in sheltered areas, and wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas.

The mid and lower snowpack is well consolidated, with several well-bonded crusts scattered throughout.

Snow depth has been reported as 330 cm at 1700 m, tapering quickly at lower elevations below treeline.

Watch this week's North Shore Conditions for more info.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mainly clear skies. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. An above freezing layer develops between 1500 and 2500 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. An above freezing layer persists between 1400 and 2700 m.

Wednesday

Mainly clear skies. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing levels 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.