Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 20th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
While warmer temperatures have helped the snow to settle, higher elevations may still hold slabs triggerable by a rider.
Watch for changing conditions as you shift elevation and aspect.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday slabs remained reactive to riders, producing size 1 avalanches. Depth varied from 20-50 cm depending on wind loading, and all were reported to have failed on the old, faceted snow surface.
Check out all the great MIN reports from the last few days for a description of conditions!
Snowpack Summary
Warm temperatures and light rain have created a variable surface crust observed to mountain top in most areas. Up to 15 cm of new snow may build fresh slabs over the crust on Sunday.
Previous southerly winds developed wind slabs on north and east facing slopes at treeline and above. These overly a variety of old wind-affected surfaces, crusts, and faceted (weak) snow crystals, which were bonding poorly. While warm conditions promote the settling of the upper snowpack, reactivity may continue at treeline and above, as the weak interfaces resist bonding.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is considered well-settled and well-bonded.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow possible. Freezing levels remain above 1500 m for most areas, with light rain expected below. Southerly winds 30-40 km/h.
Sunday
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. Freezing levels are steady at 1500 m, with rain or wet snow expected below. Treeline temperatures around -2 °C. Southerly winds 20-40 km/h,
Monday
5-15 cm of snow is possible by Monday morning. Another 5 cm is expected over the day, with cloudy skies. Freezing levels are expected to stay near 1600 m, with treeline temperatures around -1 °C. Southerly winds 20 km/h.
Tuesday
5-10 cm of snow is possible by Tuesday morning. Another 5 cm is expected over the day, with cloudy skies. Freezing levels are expected to stay near 1500 m, with treeline temperatures around -2 °C. Southerly winds 30 km/h.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Approach ridgelines with caution. Older slabs may still react to human triggers as they sit over weak surfaces. Fresh slabs may develop over the day, as snowfall builds over the new surface crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM
