Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 19th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
dnylen,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs are reactive to human triggering, be cautious when transitioning into wind affected snow.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Multiple human triggered wind slabs in the alpine and treeline in variably wind affected terrain were reported on Thursday.
On Wednesday, numerous natural and human-triggered storm slabs (size 1-2) were reported in the alpine and treeline. Where the storm snow remained loose and uncohesive, widespread dry loose activity was reported with skier traffic in steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of recent storm snow has buried a variety of snow surfaces. It sits above unconsolidated faceted snow, surface hoar and firm wind-pressed snow in open terrain at treeline and above.
Down 60 to 80 cm, a crust, facet and or surface hoar layer exists. This may become a problem once the snow above starts to stiffen and form a slab.
130+ cm down another surface hoar layer exists that was buried in early December. This layer is of most concern above 2000 m where a robust crust doesn't exist above it.
Weak basal facets are likely to be found on the ground in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow, alpine wind south 15 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, alpine wind south 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -3 C.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, alpine wind south 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5 C.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, alpine wind south 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- 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
New wind slabs are resting on faceted snow from the previous cold weather and may be more reactive and slower to bond.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
50-80 cm of snow sits above a crust and surface hoar which has produced natural, remote and rider-triggered avalanches in the past week. As the unconsolidated snow settles and forms a slab, a reactive upper snowpack may exist.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 20th, 2024 4:00PM
