Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada KT, Avalanche Canada

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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

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM

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