Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 1st, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid wind loaded terrain in the alpine. Recent storm snow accompanied by southerly winds has formed deep wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday and Saturday there were numerous reports of a naturally and explosives triggered size 2-3 wind and storm slabs in alpine terrain on northwest through northeast aspects. There were also numerous reports of lower elevation wet loose and wet slab avalanches both naturally and explosives triggered size 1-3. There were also several reports of glide slabs releasing naturally size 1-2.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by southerly winds onto lee features in the alpine. Many south facing alpine features have been scoured. Below 1400 m the snow surface has either frozen into crust or is wet.

A layer of facets buried at the end of November can be found near the ground.

The snowpack depth varies between 200 and 300 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm of new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5°C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 3 cm of new snow expected, east alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -4°C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected, southeast alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -4°C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 60 km/h, freezing level rising to 500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

30-60 cm of recent storm snow accompanied by moderate to strong southeast and southwest windhas formed deep wind slabs on lee features .

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 2nd, 2024 4:00PM