Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 12th, 2023 2:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
mkoppang,
Avalanche Canada
Strong winds, warm temps and the possibility of some incoming precipitation are increasing the avalanche danger at this time. The snowpack rarely likes anything that happens suddenly
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new observed today.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack has seen very little change in recent times. The mid-December surface hoar layer down 30cm at Treeline continues to react as a persistent slab with compression tests in the moderate range. Below this, the remainder of the snowpack is heavily facetted. Any avalanche triggered in the upper snowpack will almost certainly step down to the ground.
With the arrival of the strong winds and warmer temperatures the snowpack may become more reactive as it settles with the warmer conditions. Windslabs may develop in alpine and treeline areas that make the persistent December layer more reactive. This is the first "Change" we have had in the snowpack in some time so give it time to adjust.
Weather Summary
Friday is the arrival of the warmer air and strong winds ahead of the pineapple express/atmospheric river headed our way. Freezing levels are forecast to climb up to 2000m and we may see light rain/snow fall with the system along the divide. This wind and rapid warming will likely make the snowpack settle and become more reactive. On Saturday there is a chance for some snow but not the amounts that we would like. 8-10cm is possible.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
With the warm temps arriving this layer may become more reactive
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
If triggered the persistent slab is very likely to steep down to the deeper instability and involve the entire winter's snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 14th, 2023 4:00PM
