Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 20th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Head out the door with a storm day mindset.
New snow will likely be reactive to human triggers, step back into simple terrain free from overhead hazard as storm slabs build over the day.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday a size 2 natural storm slab was observed on a northeast facing slope.
On Wednesday there were a few size 1 avalanches triggered by explosives in the storm snow with impressively wide propagation.
Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Snowfall accumulations may reach 30 cm in some areas, with deeper deposits to be found in wind affected terrain features. These storm slabs build over settling snow at higher elevations, which tapers to a hard crust at lower elevations, below 700 m.
Last weeks rain saturated the snowpack and created a well settled and strong lower snowpack.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clearing skies overnight. Freezing levels remain around 700 m. Light to moderate westerly winds. Isolated flurries are possible.
Saturday
Snowfall begins early morning delivering 20-30 cm over the day. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m.
Sunday
Clearing skies with light northwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. No snowfall expected.
Monday
Cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate to strong northwest winds return. Freezing levels around 400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
- As the storm slab problem gets trickier, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Expect new snow to be reactive to human triggers, up to 30 cm is expected over the day. Watch for deeper deposits and more reactivity around ridgelines and on north and east facing slopes.
Avoid large, steep slopes as well as wind loaded features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 21st, 2023 4:00PM
