Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
dnylen,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs may persist longer than normal where they rest on a weak layer of facets.
Persistent weakness in the snowpack warrants a conservative approach to large or steep slopes.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few natural loose dry avalanches were reported over the weekend (size 1 to 2) out of steep alpine terrain.
Natural wind slab activity has started to taper off, however, small (size 1 to 2) rider triggered wind slabs were still being reported on Friday.
Earlier in the storm on Wednesday, two persistent slab avalanches (size 1 and 2) were remotely triggered by skiers in the Northern Selkirks. These avalanches occurred on north aspects at treeline.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of surface snow is now resting on a variety of old snow surfaces including faceted snow, surface hoar and firm wind slabs in open terrain at treeline and above.
Down 60 to 80 cm a crust, facet, and/or surface hoar layer exists.
130+ cm down another surface hoar layer exists that was buried in early December. This seems to be of most concern above 2000 m where a robust crust doesn't exist above it, or in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, south alpine wind 10-40 km/h, treeline temperature around -6 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, south alpine wind 10-40 km/h, treeline temperature around -2 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 5-15 cm of snow, south alpine wind 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature around -2 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20-40 km/h, treeline temperature around -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs continue to develop with new snow available for transport. They may be slow to bond to the facets below.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Two weak layers of surface hoar and facets exist deeper in the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Basal facets remain a concern in steep, rocky alpine features with thin-to-thick snowpack transitions.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
