Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 4th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Use extra caution in steep, rocky terrain at upper elevations where avalanches are most likely to be triggered.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No significant avalanches have been reported in the region in the past few days. Sluffing in steep terrain has been reported throughout the region.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
A variety of surfaces can be found in the alpine including wind pressed surfaces and a crust on steep south facing slopes. 5 to 10 mm surface hoar exists just below the surface on sheltered terrain.
A layer of surface hoar down roughly 60 to 100 cm remains problematic despite a lack of recent signs of reactivity. A hard crust above this layer is likely protecting it from human-triggering below 2000 m.
Weak basal facets characterize the bottom of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
A mix of cloud and clear skies with up to 5 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud with a few centimeters of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with around 5 cm of new snow expected, west alpine wind 15 to 35 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried surface hoar is likely becoming harder to trigger, however, consequences remain high if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Basal facets remain a concern, particularly in steep, rocky terrain characterized by varying snowpack depths ranging from thin to thick.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New snow accompanied by southerly wind may form small rider triggerable wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 5th, 2024 4:00PM
