Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 5th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ejones,
Avalanche Canada
Generally good riding conditions exist. Use caution in steep, lee terrain features where wind slabs may be found.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
The Field Team observed a size 2 wind slab avalanche on an east aspect in the alpine in Powder Valley that probably occurred on Wednesday, from steep, rocky terrain.
We haven't received any other recent reports of avalanches. Looking forward, it remains possible for riders to trigger wind slabs in steep, lee terrain features.
If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of recent snow overlies hard surfaces. This new snow may be redistributed into wind slabs in exposed areas from southwest winds.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong. A thick, well-bonded melt-freeze crust is approximately 30 to 50 cm above the ground at elevations below 1200 m.
Snowpack depths range from 80 to 200 cm across the region and vary locally from wind distribution.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, north alpine wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -14 °C.
Saturday
Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
Sunday
Increasing clouds with a few centimetres of snow late in the day, south alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with a trace of snow, south alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Carefully evaluate big/extreme terrain features before committing to them, it may not be full "go" time yet.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may exist in lee terrain features at high elevations from recent southwest wind transport.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 6th, 2024 4:00PM
