Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
CG,
Avalanche Canada
Warming temps and moderate SW winds have created a soft storm slab at all elevations.
Be suspect of surface snow that feels heavier/stiffer, like around ridgecrests and cross-loaded features.
Watch for "mashed-potato" consistency storm slabs at low elevations, especially in steep-sided gullies or convex rolls.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
A field team was able to ski cut a few convexities on solar aspects the last 2 days, producing up to sz 1.5 soft slabs running 30-40cm deep on the Jan 3 melt-freeze crust. These slabs were more reactive below Tree-line.
A natural sz 2 storm slab, ~30cm deep, 20m wide, 200m long, was observed from an Alpine start zone in the Connaught Path today.
Near neighbours are also reporting human-triggering of a soft slab, ~30-50cm deep, on unsupported rolls/features.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temps and 30cm of settling storm snow are creating a soft storm slab on top of variable wind effect in open terrain at/above Tree-line, and faceted snow in sheltered areas below Tree-line.
A sun crust (Jan 3), down 50cm and most prominent at and below Tree-line on S-SW aspects, has been the failure plane for recent human triggered avalanches.
The Dec 1 surface hoar layer is down ~110cm and is decomposing.
Weather Summary
Weak storm fronts will bring light snow, moderate winds, and mild temps the next few days.
Tonight: Cloudy, flurries, trace amounts, Alp low -5°C, light SW winds, 1400m freezing level (FZL)
Wed: Sun/cloud, flurries, trace amounts, Alp high -4°C, mod SW winds, 1600m FZL
Thurs: Flurries, 5-10cm, high -6°C, mod SW winds, 1400m FZL
Fri: Cloudy, isolated flurries, 5cm, Alp high -7°C, light SW winds, 1200m FZL
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent snow, accompanied by variable wind and mild temps, has created a soft slab that is most reactive near ridgelines and on convex slopes at lower elevations. Above Tree-line these storm slabs are present in lee features and a bit more stubborn to initiate.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Be extra cautious on South through West aspects, where there is a sun-crust down 40-70cm that has been reactive to skier/rider traffic.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 24th, 2024 4:00PM
