Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Storm slabs are resting on a layer of facets and may be slow to bond. Reactivity may persist longer than usual.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Storm slabs have been reactive and large due to wide propagation. Observations in the past two days have included:

  • natural to size 2 (large)

  • explosive-triggered to size 3 (very large)

  • rider-triggered mostly size 1.5 but up to size 2, several of which were triggered remotely.

Snowpack Summary

20-50 cm of recent snow is settling rapidly in mild temperatures. It sits poorly bonded to an underlying layer of facets formed during the cold snap. At upper elevations, the recent snow has been redistributed by wind. At lower elevations, a thin crust or moist snow may be found at the surface.

Old layers of surface hoar and crusts in the mid snowpack appear to be healing. The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing around 5 cm of new snow. South alpine wind 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with flurries brining around 5 cm of new snow. South alpine wind 30-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday

5-10 cm of new snow overnight then a mix of sun and cloud. Southwest alpine wind 30-40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, freezing level 1400 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with flurries brining around 5 cm of new snow. Southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

20-50 cm of recent snow is is settling into a storm slab in the mild temperatures. These storm slabs are poorly bonded to an underlying layer of facets.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2024 4:00PM

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