Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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Incoming winds may redistribute the generally low-density storm snow.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

New snow has buried previously wind-affected surfaces at treeline and above. In sheltered areas, particularly around treeline elevations, a layer of surface hoar crystals may exist below the new snow.

A crust buried by roughly 20 to 40 cm of snow may be breaking down (facetting), and forming another potential weak layer in the upper snowpack.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, northwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, south alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 30 cm of snow at treeline and above, rain at lower elevations, southwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 1900 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 15 cm of snow at treeline and above, rain at lower elevations, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

New snow is being redistributed into cohesive, reactive slabs in exposed terrain. While the new snow may rest atop a layer of surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

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

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