Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 5th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
Assess for new wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. Small avalanches may step down to deeper weak layers in the snowpack. Read about how this year's snowpack is different in our Forecasters' blog.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity has been reported in the region. However, there have been several recent reports of large human-triggered avalanches in neighboring regions.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 30 to 50 cm of soft snow overlies a generally weak, facetted snowpack with multiple buried weak layers. New wind slabs are likely forming in wind-exposed terrain on northerly aspects, which may sit over a layer of reactive surface hoar and/or crust.
A layer of large and weak facets sits in the bottom of the snowpack, buried in November.
Snowpack depth is roughly 150 cm at treeline. This year's snowpack is weaker than usual, as described in our Forecasters' blog.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with trace snowfall. Light to moderate southerly wind. Treeline high of -3 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm. Light to moderate southerly wind. Freezing levels 1300 m. Treeline high of -4 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm. Moderate southerly wind. Treeline high of -4 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm. Moderate to strong southerly wind. Treeline high of -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Southerly wind is forming new wind slabs in lee terrain features. Avalanches triggered in wind-loaded terrain have the potential to step down to deeper weak layers, creating larger than expected avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of faceted grains sits near the base of the snowpack. The consequence of triggering this layer is high. Riders are most likely to trigger it where the snowpack is relatively shallow, such as on rocky and wind-affected slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 6th, 2023 4:00PM
