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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 17th, 2024–Jan 18th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, North Shore, Tetrahedron.

Incoming winds may redistribute the generally low-density storm snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

New snow has buried previously wind-affected surfaces at treeline and above. In sheltered areas, particularly around treeline elevations, a layer of surface hoar crystals may exist below the new snow.

A crust buried by roughly 20 to 40 cm of snow may be breaking down (facetting), and forming another potential weak layer in the upper snowpack.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, northwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, south alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 30 cm of snow at treeline and above, rain at lower elevations, southwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 1900 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 15 cm of snow at treeline and above, rain at lower elevations, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 1900 m.

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.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.