Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 6th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
CJ,
Avalanche Canada
With some new snow and wind, sluffing is expected in extreme terrain and steep gully/couloir features. Watch for this if you are skiing or climbing in exposed terrain.
Continue to use caution in steeper terrain features due to the weak basal layers, and be prepared for colder temperatures in the next few days.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Some sluffing in steep cliffs/gullies has occurred with the arrival of new snow. Ski hills reported triggering small wind slabs up to size 1 in immediate lee areas with ski cutting and explosives, and a couple of size 1 slides stepping down to the basal facets. No natural avalanche activity has been observed but visibility has been limited.
Snowpack Summary
5-15 cm of storm snow has arrived with S-W winds creating some wind effect, sluffing and small wind slabs in exposed alpine and treeline areas. This new snow sits on a variety of surfaces (sun crusts, surface hoar, old wind slab) at treeline and above.
The mid-pack contains a couple of rain crusts which can be found as high as 2350 m in southern areas.
The base of the snowpack consists of a mix of weak facets and depth hoar.
Treeline snow depths range from 60-100 cm.
Weather Summary
A drying trend is expected on Sunday as the upslope flow gradually turns off. Snow flurries will taper off and the skies will gradually become partly cloudy from north to south during the day. Light to moderate northwesterly winds at ridgetop are expected. Treeline temperatures will be between -12°C and -20°C.
For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be cautious of sluffing.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
Problems
Wind Slabs
5-15 cm of new snow and moderate to strong S-W winds have created small wind slabs in immediate lee areas of the alpine, and some sluffing in steep gullies and cliffs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
In most areas the base of the snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar. Avalanche activity on this layer has been minimal but the consequenses of triggering it remain serious. Use caution in steep terrain or on planar slopes where failures in these basal facets are more likely to propagate.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 7th, 2024 4:00PM
