Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 15th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
KT,
Avalanche Canada
Reactive wind slabs may exist on all aspects, especially in steep alpine features. A touchy persistent slab problem also exists below treeline in steep, sheltered areas. Lots of hidden hazards still exist below treeline.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few natural windslabs to size 2 were observed up the Akamina Parkway in steep and sheltered lee features this week. Two size 2 persistent slab avalanches were triggered remotely by the field team last Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
A combination of windslab and old storm snow overlies facets and melt-freeze crust. A thicker (5cm) layer of facets exists in more sheltered areas below treeline. In windy areas in the alpine and treeline windslab and settled snow may sit directly on the crust with little or no facets. This overlies a melt freeze crust complex and a generally more stable base of the snowpack. Areas close to the divide have the best snow coverage.
Weather Summary
Tues
Overcast with trace snow throughout the day. Wind NW 30 increasing to SW and 50. Alpine High -7
Wed
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow through the day and 10-15 through the night. Wind W 50 becoming 30. Alpine High -12
Thurs
Skies clearing. Light to moderate E wind. Alpine High -15
For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds have switched back and forth between SW and NE, so be aware that windslabs may have formed in either standard or reverse lees. Recent natural wind slab avalanches were observed on SE aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem will most likely be found in steep sheltered areas at treeline and below and may be more reactive with fresh load on Wed and Thurs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM
