Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada swerner, Avalanche Canada

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Fresh pockets of wind slab may exist due to new snow and wind from the northeast. In areas with enough snow to ride, thick to thin snow pack transitions remain a concern.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new or recent avalanches have been reported, however there are very few field observations coming from this forecast area.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine, up to 15 cm of new snow sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including wind-pressed snow and faceted snow. At treeline and below the new snow sits on a widespread crust. South and west-facing alpine slopes are generally scoured.

The snowpack is shallow and faceted with multiple crusts. Pockets of deeper snow may be found near ridges, gully features, and established avalanche paths.

Average snowpack depths at treeline vary between 20 to 80 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear periods, ridgetop wind 40-50 km/h from the northeast, treeline temperatures near -20 C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop wind 35-45 km/h from the southeast. Treeline temperatures near -15 C.

Friday

Snow 5-10 cm, ridgetop wind 5-15 km/h from the southwest, treeline temperature -15 C.

Saturday

New snow 5 cm, ridgetop winds light 30-40 km/h from the southwest, treeline temperatures near -10 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs may exist due to new snow and wind loading from the northeast. Avalanches are possible in isolated terrain features like gullies and alpine bowls where deeper deposits of wind-loaded snow exist.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM