Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

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Danger ratings reflect conditions in the southern portion of the region which has received more snowfall and higher winds.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There were a few skier controlled storm slab and dry loose avalanches to size 1 on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a few natural wind slab avalanches were reported up to size 2.5 in the Elkford area. These avalanches were likely triggered by northerly winds at the end of the weekend or early in the week.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

New snow falling mid week has accumulated over faceted snow and/or previously wind-affected snow. Previously northerly winds had built wind slabs in leeward terrain at all elevations. At treeline and below there is a weak layer of facets over a crust, down 40 to 80 cm. This layer was reactive to skier triggering primarily on east aspects between 1500 and 2000 m last week.

The mid and lower snowpack contains a series of crusts and facetted snow.

The height of snow at treeline is roughly 80 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with snow, 5-10 cm of accumulation, northeast alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks and no new precipitation, northeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -17°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -11 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °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.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent new snow and primarily northerly winds are promoting fresh wind slab development on top of older wind slabs and/or weak facetted snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM

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