Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 14th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ejones,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs can be found on all aspects from variable winds, be cautious moving into wind-affected terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Looking ahead, 5 to 15 cm of snow will fall with moderate north winds which could form fresh, reactive wind slabs on lee slopes.
The arctic front on Wednesday resulted in a cycle of natural wind slab avalanches, up to 45 cm deep. These wind slabs on south aspects could remain reactive to human triggering.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of new snow falls on mostly firm, wind-affected surfaces. In a few sheltered areas, soft snow was reported to remain. This new snow comes initially with strong southwest and then moderate north winds, so new wind slabs may form on a variety of aspects.
A layer of surface hoar that formed on Christmas Eve may be found 50 cm deep, but recent observations suggest it has bonded.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 50 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -12 ºC.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow, north alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 ºC.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with no new snow, northeast alpine winds 60 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -16 ºC.
Wednesday
Cloudy with flurries, trace snow accumulations, north alpine winds 60 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -16 ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Variable winds may have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in any exposed terrain. Underneath the 5 to 15 cm of new snow, stiff or hollow-feeling snow may exist, use caution in these areas.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 15th, 2024 4:00PM
