Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 7th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Take a cautious approach to wind-loaded areas as southerly winds may be forming fresh, reactive wind slabs. As you travel through terrain be alert to changes with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the past week, avalanche activity has been limited to a few small (size 1) wind slabs with the exception of one larger (size 2) wind slab that likely occurred on Monday (photos here).
Looking forward to Sunday, we suspect the overnight increasing southerly winds will have stiffened the upper snowpack and created fresh wind slabs in lee areas.
Snowpack Summary
In wind-sheltered terrain, up to 10 cm of new snow overlies 30 to 40 cm of settling old storm snow, while exposed alpine terrain has likely been impacted by strong southerly winds. The recent snow is well bonded to underlying layers, with the possible exception of steep wind-loaded slopes. Snow depths at White Pass are around 100 cm in sheltered areas and closer to 200 cm on wind-loaded slopes.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation. Southerly winds increase 30-60 km/h. Alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 300 m.
Sunday
Light snow ending in the morning, clearing skies. Ridgetop winds from the south 40 km/h easing to light. Freezing level drops to valley bottom with alpine temperatures around -7 C.
MondayA mix of sun and cloud, light southerly winds. Alpine temperatures around -13 C.
TuesdayPartially cloudy, light southerly winds. Alpine temperatures around -16 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
- The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Southerly winds may have redistributed the surface snow into fresh wind slabs in lee areas. Use ribs and high points to avoid wind-loaded areas and watch for signs of instability throughout the day.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 8th, 2023 4:00PM
