Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Jan 30 – 31, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The upper snowpack has been saturated and weakened by recent rain. Avoid high-consequence avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Warm temperatures and rain may reawaken various weak layers deep within the snowpack.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    The upper snowpack is moist and continues to loss strength with above-freezing temperatures.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Rainfall has added a significant load to the upper snowpack. This is of particular concern in areas where a heavy, wet slab has formed over an old crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Widespread natural, loose wet avalanche activity was reported on Sunday at all elevations, up to size 1.5. One natural, size 3, wet slab avalanche was reported on Sunday in alpine terrain.

Two separate natural avalanches were observed on Sunday failing on layers deep within the snowpack. They both occurred in north-facing alpine terrain. One was a size 2.5, while the other was a size 3.

Snowpack Summary

Rainfall has saturated the upper snowpack at all elevations.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of various crusts and layers of facets or surface hoar. These layers deeper in the snowpack are more concerning with the warm temperatures and increased load from rain.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 20 to 30 mm of rain or wet snow, south alpine winds 50 to 80 km/h, freezing levels around 2200 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with no precipitation, south alpine winds 20 to 50 km/h, freezing levels around 2200 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with trace amounts of rain or wet snow, south alpine winds 30 to 60 km/h, freezing levels around 2200 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, south alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, freezing levels around 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
  • Avoid steep convex slopes.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

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