Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 11th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for slabs formed by northerly winds. Cold exposure is also a major concern for backcountry travellers (read more in this blog).
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
The arrival of the arctic front on Wednesday resulted in a cycle of natural wind slab avalanches. The freshly formed wind slabs were also reactive to skiers, with whumpfs and shooting cracks reported by the Yukon Field Team.
Snowpack Summary
Most surfaces are likely wind-affected after the passage of the arctic front, but you may still find pockets of soft snow in sheltered areas.
A layer of surface hoar that formed on Christmas Eve may be found 50 cm deep, but recent observations suggest it has bonded. Snowpack depths range from 80 to 200 cm, with local variations due to wind redistribution.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Clear skies with no precipitation, alpine wind northeast up to 20 km/h, treeline temperature drops below -35 ºC.
Friday
Increasing cloud with no precipitation, alpine wind northwest 20-40 km/h, treeline temperature -30 ºC.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, alpine wind southwest 40-60 km/h, treeline temperature -24ºC.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, alpine wind southwest gusting to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -20ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Arctic outflows developed wind slabs on south-facing slopes. Slabs will become more stubborn to ridgers, but potentially more dense and cohesive if triggered.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 12th, 2024 4:00PM
