Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 1st, 2023–Jan 2nd, 2023

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.

Southerly winds are forecast to increase from moderate to strong tonight. With plenty of snow available for transport, winds will build thick wind slabs in lees.

Use caution when transitioning into wind-affected areas. Carefully assess the bond between the slab and the underlying crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a size 1.5 skier remote storm slab avalanche was reported. This slab was 25 cm deep and released on a steep northeast slope at 1400m. Several other avalanches like this one were reported to have occurred on Friday. triggers included ski cuts and naturals. Check out this MIN from Mt Washington.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 40cm of recent storm snow is settling over a melt-freeze crust above 1000 m. A thin layer of facets could exist around this interface. Strong southerly winds have redistributed available snow into deep wind slabs on north and east aspects and cross-loading on others. Below 1000m the snow surface could still be moist.

Once again terrain below treeline has limited or no coverage.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with clear periods. Ridgetop winds southerly 20 to 40 km/h. A low of -3 at 1500m. Freezing levels around 800m.

Monday

Cloudy with light flurries, trace accumulation. Ridgetop winds southerly 20km/h. A high of -1 at 1500m. Freezing levels 1000m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 2-8 cm accumulation. Ridgetop winds southerly 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h. A high of -1 at 1500m. Freezing levels 1000m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with light flurries, trace accumulation. Ridgetop winds southerly 20 to 40 km/h. A high of -1 at 1500m. Freezing levels 1000m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs could still be reactive due to the crust they have formed over. As southerly winds increase through Sunday night expect to find the largest and most reactive slabs on north and east aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5