Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada GL, Avalanche Canada

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Natural activity has been reduced but don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Human triggering remains possible.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There were no new avalanches observed on Sunday's Icefield's patrol and visibility was good. There was evidence of a natural cycle up to Size 3 on Friday. Better visibility on Saturday showed continued evidence of this cycle yet less activity. Some avalanches initiated with cornice failures or in a surface Wind Slab stepping down to the basal facets.

If you're out in the hills, don't forget to post to the MIN. Every bit of information helps

Snowpack Summary

5cm of new snow since Friday. There is a crust below 1800m. A layer of surface hoar and facets is down 20-40cm in sheltered areas. Large facets and depth hoar comprise the bottom portion of the snowpack. Snowpack depths vary from 50-100cm.

Weather Summary

Monday is expected to be cloudy and flurries, -7 °C, and light Southwest winds. Tuesday will be very similar. Wednesday will have more sun and -10 °C. Thursday will be a mix of sun and cloud, -5 °C, and light winds. There maybe a temperature inversion.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Avalanches initiating in the upper snowpack are likely to step down to this layer and gain significant mass.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Previous winds created wind slabs in lee features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2023 4:00PM

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