Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 12th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Strong winds have built wind slabs on south facing slopes.
While danger ratings decrease, reactivity may still be found in specific features.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.
During the storm on Monday and Tuesday, storm slabs up to size 2.5 occurred. On Tuesday near Mount Washington, several skier-triggered storm slabs up to size 1.5 were reported from steep or wind-loaded terrain at treeline.
Reactivity in wind loaded features is expected to continue.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 90 cm of recent snow has been transported into wind slabs on south and east facing slopes by strong northwest winds. Expect to find pockets of dense and deep wind slab in wind loaded terrain and crusts or bare ground in high elevation exposed terrain.
The remainder of the snowpack is strong, with numerous hard melt-freeze crusts.
Treeline snow depths generally range from 50 to 150 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly below 500 m where there has been more rainfall.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly clear skies. Northwest winds ease to 10-30 km/h. Treeline temperatures remain steady around -17 °C.
Saturday
Sunny with afternoon cloud possible. Northwest winds 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperatures may reach -9 °C.
Sunday
Sunny skies with northerly winds 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures finally climb out of the deep freeze, reaching -4 °C.
Monday
Sunny skies with northerly winds 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperatures around-3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh winds slabs can be found on south facing slopes, while older wind slabs on north facing slopes likely still exist. Watch for crossloading in unusual features like mid slope gullies and rollovers.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 13th, 2024 4:00PM
