Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 13th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Continue to make conservative terrain choices and consider the consequences of a chosen slope avalanching. wind slabs as well as weak layers in the upper snowpack are still rider triggerable.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
On thursday a skier was caught in a small avalanche at treeline. This avalanche failed on a layer of facets in the upper snowpack. Check out the MIN for more details. A few other similar sized skier triggered avalanches were reported in the region. These other avalanches failed on facet or surface hoar layers in the upper snowpack.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
New wind slabs can likely be found on exposed treeline and alpine terrain on west, north and east facing slopes. As the freezing level rises and falls the surface will develop a crust at lower elevations.
The upper snowpack continues to settle. The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak and faceted, with a number of weak layers. Of significant concern is a layer down 30 to 50 cm from the surface consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. And a layer of large facets and a crust down roughly 50 to 110 cm from the surface. The snow below this deeper weak layer is unconsolidated and weak.
Snowpack depths remain highly variable, ranging from 60 to 150 cm at treeline. In General the snowpack is shallow and weak.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Temperatures at 2000m around -3. Light to moderate southerly winds.
Saturday
Cloudy with flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1500m.
Sunday
Cloudy with flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southerly winds and a high of -3 at 2000m.
Monday
Cloudy with flurries bringing a few centimeters. Light to moderate southwest winds and a high of -5 at 2000m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer near the base of the snowpack, buried in November, remains a concern despite lack of recent avalanche activity. Human triggering of this layer remains possible, especially in shallow areas with variable snow depths.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar, facets and/or a crust may be found around 40 to 70 cm deep, which is a prime depth for human triggering. Of more concern at the treeline elevations and below.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs will likely still be reactive to rider traffic on west,north and east aspects.
Be aware that wind slabs can step down to deeper layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 14th, 2023 4:00PM
