Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 3rd, 2022–Jan 4th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

The recent snow will likely remain touchy and the potential to trigger a buried weak layer remains.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 30 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -13 C.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -12 C.

WEDNESDAY: Increasing clouds with no precipitation, 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -12 C.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

Avalanche Summary

Many storm slab avalanches were observed on Sunday, at all elevation bands. A natural avalanche cycle likely occurred into Monday during the peak of the storm. Human-triggering remains elevated into Tuesday with more snow forecast.

We'd appreciate any observations while you are out travelling on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Around 30 to 60 cm of snow has accumulated since the weekend, with more snow forecast into Tuesday. The snow has likely formed touchy storm slabs in sheltered areas and wind slabs in exposed terrain from strong southerly wind.

The storm snow overlies a weak layer formed during the cold spell in late December. The weak layer consists of sugary faceted grains as well as potentially feathery surface hoar found in areas sheltered from the wind. In high-elevation terrain exposed to the wind, the snow likely overlies a hard wind-affected surface.

A weak layer of faceted grains may be found above a widespread melt-freeze crust that formed in early December. This layer is likely found anywhere from 80 to 200 cm deep. This layer was the culprit of large, destructive avalanches in December for the neighbouring Sea to Sky region. It has been most reactive between 1700 and 2100 m.

The lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to the presence of deeply buried weak layers.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.