Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 16th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Low-density storm snow will accumulate throughout the day. Use caution in leeward terrain features where wind-affected snow may be more cohesive and reactive to human triggering.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, several size 2 wind slab avalanches were observed in cross-loaded features below treeline. These avalanches are suspected to be +48 hours old. See the South Rockies Feild Team MIN report for a good visual representation of this problem.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
New snow is accumulating over faceted surfaces in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas at all elevations. A weak layer of facets above a melt-freeze crust is found down 60 to 100 cm.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well bonded with a series of crusts and facetted snow.
The average snow depth at treeline is approximately 100 to 180 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 5 to 10 cm of low-density snow, westerly alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries, 10 cm of snow across the region, local hot spots may see up to 20 cm of low-density snow, southwest switching to northeast alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.
Thursday
Mostly sunny with no new precipitation, northeast alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
- Use appropriate sluff management techniques.
Problems
Storm Slabs
As storm snow accumulates through the day watch for signs of instability, such as cracking and recent avalanches, increasing. Be especially cautious in leeward terrain where southwest winds may be developing more cohesive slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 17th, 2024 4:00PM
