Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 20th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Fresh and reactive wind slabs are expected to form over the day, watch for signs of instability like cracking and recent avalanches.
Head to sheltered terrain for the best riding conditions.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday natural and human triggered wind slabs were reported on north/northwest slopes loaded by southerly winds at alpine and treeline elevations. This includes a natural avalanche cycle to size 2.5 in the north of the region. And a machine triggered size 1 on a convex roll, failing on a layer of preserved stellar crystals below the dense wind slab.
We expect activity to continue on Sunday, with natural avalanches in areas that experience heavy snow and strong winds
Snowpack Summary
Storm totals may reach 30 cm in many areas by Sunday afternoon, redistributed into deeper deposits by strong winds. Winds have varied, from north/easterly outflows to strong southerlies. Storm snow sits over old wind slabs or other hard, faceted (weak) surfaces, which increases reactivity as it resists bonding.
In sheltered areas treeline and below a layer of surface hoar can be found down 30 cm, triggered wind slabs may step down to this layer. A crust from December is decomposing down 60 cm.
The rest of the snowpack is well settled with no current concerns.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy, up to 10 cm of snow overnight favouring the Terrace area. Southwest winds, 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -7 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy, up to 10 cm of snow favouring terrain around Stewart. Southwest winds 20-40 km/h, Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Another 10 cm is possible by Monday morning, primarily around Stewart.
Cloudy, up to 5 cm of snow over the day. Southwest winds 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -5°C.
Tuesday
Cloudy, 5-10 cm of snow. Southwest winds 30-60 km/h. Treeline temperature -3°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs will continue to build over the day. Expect slabs to exist on all aspects. Recent winds have varied and while a southerly flow is expected, continued north/easterly outflows may overpower these winds in many areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM
