Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 28th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Check for wind effect before committing to a big line. Isolated pockets of wind slab around ridgelines and in extreme terrain may react to a human trigger.
Maintain good travel habits while danger is low.
Summary
Confidence
High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast
Weather Forecast
Finally we see a return of an active weather pattern. Light snowfall is expected Sunday, accompanied by strong southwest winds.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Scattered cloud with moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing levels below 1500 m.
SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, with strong southwest winds. Alpine high 0, cooler in the north. Freezing levels 1500 - 1000 m. Isolated flurries possible.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall delivering up to 10 cm by Sunday evening. Freezing levels remain around 1000 m. Alpine high 0. Moderate to strong southwest winds.Â
MONDAY: Flurries continues, with cloudy skies. Winds ease to moderate westerlies. Freezing levels around 500 m. Alpine high -7.Â
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity has been reported.
Observations are limited. If you head out into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
A thick melt freeze crust sits on the surface on all aspects at lower elevations. Sunny alpine slopes may have a thin melt freeze crust on the surface, from solar affect. Direct sun is reportedly softening the crusts on only on steep south facing slopes throughout the day.
Higher elevations still hold dry snow. Moderate winds have redistributed this into alpine wind slabs found on north through east facing slopes.
The early December crust/facet layer can be found around 100-150 cm deep, most prominent between 1700 and 2100 m. This layer showed no reactivity from the warming event last weekend and is currently classified as dormant. Large loads may still be able to trigger avalanches on this layer.
Terrain and Travel
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong southwest winds will continue to build wind slabs where loose snow is available for transport.
These isolated pockets of at higher elevations may be reactive to human triggers in lee terrain near ridge crest or in extreme terrain.
Keep up good travel habits when moving through avalanche terrain, even when danger is rated as low.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 29th, 2022 4:00PM
