Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 8th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Be wary of triggering buried weak layers in rocky or wind loaded features where the snowpack varies from thick to to thin. Check out the new Forecasters' Blog for more details on managing our challenging snowpack.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity has been reported in the region. However, there have been several recent reports of large human-triggered avalanches in neighboring regions with a similar snowpack structure.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of new snow falls over a well-settled upper snowpack. A small layer of surface hoar, rime crust or sun crust may be found near the surface. Southerly winds are redistributing surface snow into wind loaded features at upper elevations. New wind slabs may sit over the layer of surface hoar and/or crust.
The mid snowpack consists of settling snow and several crusts that may be breaking down. A layer of large and weak facets sits in the bottom of the snowpack, buried in November. This layer is concerning, but harder to trigger based on its depth.
Snowpack depth is roughly 150 cm at treeline. This year's snowpack is weaker than usual, as described in our Forecasters' blog.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Up to 5 cm new snow. Moderate southerly wind easing by morning. Alpine low of -6 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light to moderate southerly wind. Alpine high of -3 °C. Freezing level 500-800 m.
Tuesday
Skies clearing into the afternoon. Light southerly winds. Alpine highs of -4 °C. Freezing level 500-800 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate southerly winds. Alpine high of -5 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of faceted grains sits near the base of the snowpack. The consequence of triggering this layer is high. Riders are most likely to trigger it where the snowpack is relatively shallow, such as on rocky and wind-affected slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Expect southerly winds to form new wind slabs in lee terrain features, on north, west and east facing slopes. Avalanches triggered in wind-loaded terrain have the potential to step down to deeper weak layers, creating larger than expected avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 9th, 2023 4:00PM
