Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 18th, 2024–Jan 19th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Retallack, Rossland, South Okanagan, St. Mary, Valhalla, Ymir.

Look for wind slabs on a variety of aspects as the wind switches direction on Friday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been several reports of natural and skier controlled storm slab and dry loose avalanches size 1-1.5 on Thursday and Friday.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow has likely covered weak, faceted now in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas at all elevations.

A layer of surface hoar is found down 70 cm in sheltered, north-facing terrain. This layer appears as a sun crust on south-facing slopes. As temperatures slowly warm this layer may become reactive to human triggering.

A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear. No new snow expected. Light east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -14 °C.

Friday

Cloudy. 2-4 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

Sunday

Mainly cloudy. 2-4 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

10-20 cm of recent new snow and winds switching direction are promoting fresh wind slab development over previously wind affected surfaces and in some places weak facetted snow.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2