Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 9th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid rocky or wind loaded features where the snowpack varies from thick to to thin. This is where both wind slabs and buried weak layers can most likely triggered.
Read the latest forecaster blog for more information on managing buried weak layers.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new reports since Friday, when a natural size 1.5 wind slab was reported on a west facing slope in the Cariboos.
No recent avalanche activity has been reported on the persistent weak layers in the region. However, spooky snowpack test results continue to support a conservative approach to terrain.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of snow may sit over firm surfaces and wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain features. Elsewhere, 30 to 60 cm of settled snow sits over a generally weak, facetted snowpack with multiple buried weak layers.
Two layers of greatest concern:
A layer of facets, crust and surface hoar that was buried around Christmas and found around 30 to 60 cm deep.
A layer of large, weak facets buried in November and found near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer is likely most problematic in alpine terrain, where shallower avalanches could scrub down to these basal facets. These layers may persist for some time, as described in our Forecasters' blog.
Snowpack depths are roughly 100 to 175 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Monday night
A trace of new snow. Light southwest wind. Alpine low of -8 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny breaks and flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow to the North Rockies. Light to moderate southerly winds. Alpine highs of -4 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. Light southerly winds increasing to moderate. Alpine high of -3 °C.
Thursday
Flurries. Strong southerly winds. Alpine high of -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind loaded terrain features from southerly winds. Back off slopes that sounds drum-like and hollow. Avalanches triggered in wind-loaded terrain could 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
Persistent Slabs
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak, facetted and contains multiple buried weak layers. A layer of facets, surface hoar and/or crust buried 30 to 60 cm deep continues to produce test results that indicate it could be triggered by riders. Avalanches may be larger than you expect due to the depth of buried weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 10th, 2023 4:00PM
