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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 5th, 2023–Jan 6th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Be careful in steep alpine terrain where wind slab avalanches could be triggered.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few natural wind slab avalanches have been reported on north and east aspects since the weekend. Most of them have been small (size 1), although the AvCan field team did see one larger (size 2) wind slab that likely occurred on Monday (photos here).

Snowpack Summary

30 to 40 cm of low density snow can still be found in wind sheltered terrain, while exposed alpine terrain has likely been impacted by strong southerly winds. Recent snow is well bonded to underlying layers, with the possible exception of steep wind-loaded slopes. Snow depths at White Pass are around 100 cm in sheltered areas and closer to 200 cm on wind-loaded slopes.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Partly cloudy, no precipitation, 20 to 30 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures drop to -15 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow in the afternoon, 30 to 40 km/h wind from the south, treeline temperatures around -8 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy, scattered flurries with up to 5 cm of new snow, 20 to 40 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures around -6 °C.

Sunday

Morning flurries with 5 to 10 cm of snow, clearing in the afternoon, 30 to 50 km/h wind from the south, treeline temperatures around -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be lingering in alpine terrain and along ridgetops. Fresh slabs could form this week if the wind picks up.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2