Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada zryan, Avalanche Canada

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A surface crust will make for challenging travel conditions but generally safe avalanche conditions. In isolated areas at upper elevations, pockets of wind slab may exist from northerly outflow winds.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in this region since Jan 21.

Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network, the information is very helpful to forecasters.

Snowpack Summary

A surface crust varying from thick and supportive to thin and breakable can be found in most locations. Above 700 m, 50 cm of dense, settling snow sits over a hard crust with wet or moist snow below.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and consolidated.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Clear. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -10 °C. Ridge wind northeast 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday

Sunny Alpine temperatures reach a high of -7 °C. Mostly light ridge wind from the north occasionally gusting to 50 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -7 °C. Ridge wind west 10-25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Mostly light westerly ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h. Freezing level 400 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

At upper elevations where dry surface snow may exist, northerly outflow winds may have created thin wind slabs in isolated areas. Watch for wind-loaded pockets, especially just below ridgetops and in extreme and very steep terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 29th, 2023 4:00PM