Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mhalik, Avalanche Canada

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6am update: More snow than expected has fallen overnight, with heavy snowfall continuing today

Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading from new snow and/or wind

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received any recent reports of avalanches. If you're heading into the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

25-30 cm of new snow is set to fall by the end of the day Saturday. With forecast strong winds this snow is set to form reactive storm slabs, especially on lee north and east slopes.

The field team has found a buried weak layer of surface hoar and facets 35-60 cm below the surface. While triggering this layer is unlikely, there is potential for smaller avalanches to overload this layer triggering a larger step-down avalanche.

The overall midpack is generally settled and strong, with the average snowpack depth at treeline around 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 10-20 cm of new snow, south alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature low -10°C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 -15 cm of new snow, southwest alpine wind 70-80 km/h, treeline temperature 0°C and freezing levels rising to 1000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 30 cm of new snow / heavy rain, south alpine wind 50-60 km/h, treeline temperature 1°C and freezing levels rising to 1300 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 5-10 cm of new snow / moderate rain, south alpine wind 40-60 km/h, treeline temperature 3°C, freezing level up to 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Storm slabs are set to build throughout the day and will be more reactive on north through east faces where wind deposited snow will be thicker.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2024 4:00PM

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