Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 12th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
The best riding will be found in sheltered terrain above 1300 m, where snow isn't wind-affected or crusty.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday a wind slab was observed near Hudson Bay. Click photo below for details.
Friday, several wind slabs sized 1 to 2 were observed across the region.
Wednesday, a few wind slab avalanches size 1.5 to 2 were reported on east aspects in the alpine. Some were cornice-triggered, and one was noted to have stepped down the persistent weak layer.
Natural avalanche activity has likely subsided, but we expect human-triggering to remain possible.
Snowpack Summary
Several days of strong to extreme westerly through northwesterly winds have scoured snow on windward faces and built thick wind slabs on lee slopes. These slabs are slowly bonding.
The snow surface on south-facing slopes and areas below 1200–1300 m is expected to be crusty.
A persistent weak layer composed of facets overlying a crust is buried 40 to 80 cm deep. A couple of recent wind slabs have stepped down to this layer. It has been stubborn to unreactive in recent snowpack tests, but may remain possible to trigger in isolated areas.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly clear. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Partly cloudy with 0 to 4 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 75 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 5 to 8 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 500 to 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong ridgetop winds have been building wind slabs. Use extra caution on leeward slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A widespread crust with weak facets overtop is buried 40-80 cm deep. While this layer exists on all aspects, it's most likely to be triggered by a heavy load on wind-loaded slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 13th, 2025 4:00PM
