Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jpercival, Avalanche Canada

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Anticipate finding wind slabs on all aspects. The weather forecast continues to stay warm in the alpine, expect human triggered avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday ski cutting and explosive control continued to produce small persistent slab avalanches. A notable small naturally trigger avalanche was observed in a backcountry location adjacent to the Castle ski area.

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

Snowpack Summary

Recent new snow has accumulated over faceted snow and/or previously wind-affected snow. Expect current south west wind to continue to transport this new snow onto north aspect lee terrain. At treeline and below there is a weak layer of facets over a crust, down 40 to 80 cm. This layer was reactive to skier triggering primarily on east aspects between 1500 and 2000 m last week in the south of the region.

The mid and lower snowpack contains a series of crusts and faceted snow.

The height of snow at treeline is roughly 80 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, southwest alpine wind 10 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, southwest alpine wind 30 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, southwest alpine wind 10 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent new snow and new south westerly winds are promoting fresh wind slab development on top of older wind slabs and/or weak faceted snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

This facet crust overlies a melt freeze crust below elevations of 2000 meters.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2024 4:00PM

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