Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
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Avalanche Canada
A persistent weak layer is present at all elevations and could produce large destructive avalanches if triggered. Careful terrain choices are recommended given the uncertainity about this problem.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
In the past few days, we received several reports of previous natural avalanches up to size 2.5. These avalanches released on a 30 to 60 cm deep facet layer and occurred at all elevations and on a variety of aspects. Check out this MIN report from our field team on Friday for some photos and a good summary of this activity.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snowfall has been wind-affected in exposed terrain. In wind-sheltered terrain, this recent snow sits on a layer of facets and surface hoar that formed during the mid-December Arctic outbreak. This layer is 30 to 60 cm deep and recent avalanche activity and snowpack tests suggest human-triggering is possible. Below treeline, a thin crust can likely be found at or near the surface.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Cloudy, no precipitation, 30 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures drop to -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with sunny periods in the afternoon, no precipitation, 20 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures around -6 °C.
ThursdayMix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 30 to 50 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures around -5 °C.
FridayCloudy with afternoon flurries brining up to 5 cm of snow, 40 to 60 km/h wind from the south, treeline temperatures warm to -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Avoid making assumptions about this layer based on the presence of aggressive tracks on adjacent slopes
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A layer of facets that formed during the period of arctic air is found down 30 to 60 cm. This layer produced natural avalanches last week, and recent snowpack observations suggest it's still reactive to human triggering. It is likely most reactive at treeline, where surface hoar could also exist as part of this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 4th, 2023 4:00PM
