Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 26th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
The region continues to see small amounts of overnight precipitation and northwesterly winds. Watch for newly formed reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, we received a MIN report of a skier accidental avalanche from Nak Bowl. The avalanche happened when skiing over a convexity and likely released on a crust below the storm snow. A natural size 2.5 wind slab avalanche was also reported from Nak Peak area. This avalanche is suspected to have stepped down to deeper layers. Several loose avalanches were observed up to size 2 on south aspects from solar input and elevated freezing levels.
On Tuesday, several, size 1, natural loose dry avalanches were reported from within the storm snow.
Thank you for all the MINs, please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
30-40 cm of storm snow at alpine and treeline is being redistributed into deep pockets at higher elevations. Below 2000 m supportive crust is found 50 cm deep.
Generally, the snowpack is well-settled. Weak layers exist within the mid and lower snowpack but the thick crusts sitting above them make triggering avalanches on these layers unlikely.
Snowpack depths are roughly 150 cm at treeline and taper rapidly below 1500 m.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mainly cloudy. Northwesterly ridgetop winds 40-60 km/h. 1500m temperature low of -2C. Freezing levels of 1000 m.
Overnight, cloudy with scattered flurries, 5-10 cm accumulation.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. Light northwesterly winds occasionally gusting to 30 km/h. 1500m temperature high of 0C. Freezing levels of 1500 m.
Saturday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Light northeasterly winds occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. 1500m temperature high -6C. Freezing levels of 800 m.
Sunday
Sunny. Moderate northeasterly winds occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. 1500m temperature high -12C. Freezing levels valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
5-10 cm overnight brings this week's storm snow totals to 40 cm in the alpine. Strong northwesterly winds are redistributing available snow into fresh wind slabs in lees. Seek out sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 27th, 2023 4:00PM
