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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2024–Jan 11th, 2024

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan, Whatshan.

There's a lot at stake in avalanche terrain right now with enough new snow for large avalanches and the mercury dropping. Check out our Forecasters' Blog for tips on managing the cold.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Initial reports suggest it was a busy day for avalanches Tuesday.

Like after Saturday's storm, we're seeing a mix of numerous storm slab, wind slab, and dry loose avalanches, mainly to size 1.5 (small) but with a good number of size 2 (large) releases as well. Persistent slabs have not figured into reports.

Looking forward to Thursday, expect new snow to remain sensitive to triggering where north winds drive new wind slab formation and where surface hoar may be preserved.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 30-50 cm of new snow fell in the region early this week. It buried moderately wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas at elevation, but mainly added to 30-60 cm of storm snow from Saturday. All this snow collectively sits on an aspect and elevation-dependent mix of crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Areas where surface hoar may be preserved are a concern.

A crust formed by early December rain is found ~70 cm deep, and an old layer of surface hoar 60 to 100 cm deep. Recent observations suggest triggering this layer is unlikely.

The lower snowpack is variable throughout the region and weak basal facets are likely to be found on the ground in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Mainly cloudy. West or northwest alpine wind, 15-30 km/h.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Variable, mainly northwest wind 5-25 km/h. Treeline temperature -20°C to -25°C.

Friday

Sunny. North alpine wind 5-15 km/h. Treeline temperature -30°C.

Saturday

Sunny. Variable alpine wind 5-10 km/h.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.