Avalanche forecast

Microwave-Sinclair

Jan 30 – 31, 2025Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 2 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Triggering avalanches is possible on alpine slopes due to wind slabs and a buried weak layer.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind loading may have formed unstable slabs on lee terrain features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    A 50 to 100 cm deep weak layer from early December may be possible to trigger on steep slopes with shallow rocks.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported since the weekend.

On Sunday a rider triggered a large (size 2.5) slab avalanche on a southeast alpine slope. The slab ranged from 20 to 100 cm deep with wind loading variability. The slab may have released on the persistent weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions are highly variable, with small amounts of snow and strong winds forming pockets of wind slabs. Crusts have been reported on south-facing slopes, and surface hoar has been observed at lower elevations.

A weak layer of facets and crust from early December is buried approximately 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer likely contributed to avalanches last weekend but should be less reactive under current conditions, primarily posing a concern on steep rocky slopes.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Sunny. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

Regions covered