Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
kbakker,
Avalanche Canada
New snow and southerly winds will continue to build wind slabs over a recently formed melt-freeze crust.
Expect deeper snow accumulations in coastal areas, with less as you move inland.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Several natural and explosive-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on Saturday in alpine terrain, up to size 2.
At lower elevations, many loose wet avalanches occurred up to size 1, both natural and rider-triggered.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Light to moderate snowfall continues, gradually accumulating above a widespread melt-freeze crust found at all elevations. Recent warm temperatures have rapidly settled the snow and created moist, heavy surface conditions at lower elevations.
Below the crust is approximately 20 cm of upside-down snow sitting atop old wind-affected surfaces and faceted crystals from the recent period of extreme cold and outflow winds.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is generally well-settled and well-bonded.
Weather Summary
As a series of smaller low-pressure systems move through the region this week, expect warmer and wetter conditions in the southwest around Squamish and generally becoming drier and colder as they move northeast, towards the Whistler area.
Monday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow at higher elevations. Alpine wind southwest, 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow at higher elevations. Alpine wind southwest, 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 2 to 8 cm of snow at higher elevations. Alpine wind south, 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow at higher elevations. Alpine wind southwest, 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Approach ridgelines with caution. Older slabs may still react to human triggers as they sit over weak surfaces. Fresh slabs may develop over the day, as snowfall builds over the new surface crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
