Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2023 4:00PM

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

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As you transition into wind-affected watch for pockets deeper cohesive wind slab that may remain reactive to human triggering.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No recent reports of avalanche activity.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Last week's storm resulted in slabs at higher elevations (above 2000 m) where snow remained dry. Storm slabs overlie previously wind-affected surfaces on south and east-facing slopes. At treeline and below (2000 m and lower) the snowpack is saturated and refreezing.

The mid-snowpack is well-settled. The lower snowpack consists of several crusts with weak faceted crystals above and below that are beginning to heal and bond to each other.

Snowpack depths are roughly 150 cm cm at treeline and tapersrapidly below 1500 m. This is about 60 to 70% of average.

Weather Summary

Monday Night: Nil to a trace of new snow. Freezing level around 1000 m and treeline temperatures around -5 C. Light southwest wind.

Tuesday: Nil to a few cm of new snow. Freezing level near 1000m. Treeline temperature around -3 C. Mostly cloudy. Light southwest wind in creasing to moderate through the afternoon

Wednesday

Trace to 5 cm of new snow. Moderate to strong south wind. Overcast. Treeline temperatures around -3 Cwith freezing level briefly rising to near 1500 m.

Thursday

Dry. Freezing level falling to near 500 m and treeline temps cooling to -7 C. Mix of sun and clouds with light southwest to northwest wind.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

At higher elevations where the snow remains dry, southerly winds redistributed new snow into alpine lees. Wind slabs may be lingering.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 17th, 2023 4:00PM