Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 5th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
The upper snowpack is heavily wind effected. Seek out sheltered terrain at treeline and below where you can avoid wind slabs and find good riding.
Days are short and temperatures are cold! Keep your objectives conservative and close to home.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday Overnight: Partially cloudy, light to moderate southeast winds. Alpine temperatures around -32 C.
Thursday: Partially cloudy with light flurries. Light to moderate southeast winds. Alpine temperatures around -30 C.
Friday: Partially cloudy with light flurries. Alpine temperatures rising to -25 C. Light to moderate northwest winds.
Saturday: Mainly cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation. Alpine temperatures around -25 C with strong to extreme southwest winds.Â
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed in the past 24 hours.Â
If you are out in the mountains, let us know what you see by filling out a Mountain Information Network report! ?
Snowpack Summary
Easterly winds may continue to form reactive wind slabs on lee features at all elevations.
Recently formed wind slabs are most likely to be found on south and westerly aspects, but older wind slabs may be found on all aspects. Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers for longer than is typical due to the weak facets (sugary snow) they are sitting on.
The base of the snowpack is composed of crusts and weak faceted grains, particularly in thin snowpack areas. These deeply buried weak layers will create large, destructive avalanches if triggered.
Avoid likely trigger spots such as steep, rocky slopes, with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
- The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent strong northeasterly winds have likely formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
These wind slabs are most likely to be found on south and westerly aspects, but older wind slabs may be found on all aspects.
These wind slabs may remain reactive for longer than is typical because they are sitting on weak facets (sugary snow).
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 6th, 2022 4:00PM
