Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 20th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Continued wind and new snow will increase the avalanche hazard in the alpine and exposed treeline. Find good snow in sheltered terrain.

Summary

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday and Friday natural wind slab activity was reported up to size 1.5 on many aspects. Check out this MIN for conditions near Seaton.

A size 2 natural wind slab was reported on Thursday that stepped down to a weak layer. This is likely the buried surface hoar that also produced a persistent slab 10 days ago. While this layer is considered unlikely to be triggered, it is most possible to find in sheltered treeline terrain and could be triggered by a smaller avalanche.

Snowpack Summary

Storm totals may reach 10-20 cm by Sunday afternoon, redistributed into deeper deposits by strong winds. Winds have varied, from north/easterly outflows to strong southerlies. Storm snow sits over old wind slabs or other hard, faceted (weak) surfaces, which increases reactivity as it resists bonding.

In sheltered areas, up to 50 cm of low density snow sits on a decomposing rain crust up to 1650 m.

Two surface hoar layers can be found buried 60-90 cm deep and have become unlikely to trigger. These layers may be affected by step down avalanches in thin snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy, trace to 3 cm of snow possible. Southerly winds 10-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy, with 5 cm of snow possible during the day. Southerly winds 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, flurries possible. Southerly winds 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, flurries possible. Southerly winds 30-50 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs will continue to build over the day. Expect slabs to exist on all aspects as recent winds have varied

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM

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