Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ejones, Avalanche Canada

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Strong winds have built wind slabs on south-facing slopes.

Seek out sheltered terrain for the best riding!

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

During the storm on Monday and Tuesday, storm slabs up to size 2.5 occurred. Check out this MIN report.

On Tuesday near Mount Washington, several skier-triggered storm slabs up to size 1.5 were reported from steep or wind-loaded terrain at treeline.

Wind slabs may still be reactive to human triggering in wind-loaded features.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 90 cm of recent snow has been transported into wind slabs on south- and east-facing slopes by strong northwest winds. Expect to find pockets of dense and deep wind slab in wind-loaded terrain and crusts or bare ground in high-elevation exposed terrain.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, with numerous hard melt-freeze crusts.

Treeline snow depths generally range from 50 to 150 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly below 500 m where there has been more rainfall.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

A few clouds with no new snow, northwest alpine winds 30 to 60 km/h, treeline temperatures around -16 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny with no new snow, northwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperatures -8 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny with no new snow, variable alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -8 °C.

Tuesday

Increasing cloud with no new snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h. An above-freezing layer brings warm air, treeline temperatures reach -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Fresh winds slabs can be found on south facing slopes, while older wind slabs on north facing slopes likely still exist. Watch for crossloading in unusual features like mid slope gullies and rollovers.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2024 4:00PM

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