Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 8th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Snowfall may be taper today but human triggering remains likely. Head out with a conservative mindset and avoid wind-loaded areas.
If you see greater than 25 cm of new snow, treat the avalanche danger as HIGH.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
A juicy warm front impacting the coast will bring heavy snowfall overnight on Saturday, strong southwest winds and rising temperatures.
Saturday Overnight: Heavy snowfall, 10-25 cm accumulation. Strong southwest winds. Alpine temperatures rising to -10 C
Sunday: Snowfall easing, 2-10 cm accumulation, heaviest in the afternoon. Strong to extreme southwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -8 C.
Monday: Light snowfall, up to 5 cm accumulation. Strong to extreme southwest winds. Freezing levels rising to 300 m.
Tuesday: Continued snowfall, up to 5 cm accumulation. Strong southwest winds. Freezing levels at 300 m.
Avalanche Summary
Observations have been limited. If you are out in the mountains, let us know what you see by filling out a Mountain Information Network report!
Snowpack Summary
Overnight, snowfall and strong southwest winds will have created fresh, reactive storm slabs.
This storm's 10-30 cm of new snow overlies a previously wind-affected surface comprised of old hard wind slabs, sastrugi, and areas stripped back to the ground or old crusts. Near-surface faceting above the old surface may increase the reactivity of newly formed storm slabs.
The base of the snowpack is composed of crusts and weak faceted grains, particularly in thin snowpack areas. While these layers have generally gone dormant in the region, they still have the possibility of waking up with new snow load or warming, and wind slab avalanches may still have the potential to step down to these deeper layers in isolated areas.
Terrain and Travel
- Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Overnight, 10-30 cm of new snow and strong southwest winds will have built reactive storm slabs, especially in lee, wind loaded areas.
In areas that have received 25cm or more overnight, new snow may form a more widespread storm slab or loose dry problem in sheltered areas, particularly where it overlies the old hard surface or weak facetted snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 9th, 2022 4:00PM
