Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

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New wind slab formation is possible Tuesday overnight with a forecast for moderate to strong winds in the alpine. Continually assess conditions as you travel and use a cautious approach in wind-exposed terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported over the past few days.

New wind slab formation is possible Tuesday overnight and may be reactive to human triggering on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

On Tuesday, the Avalanche Canada field team was reporting a rime crust on the surface and increasing wind speeds at the end of the day. If the wind speed continues to increase Tuesday night, new wind slab formation should be expected on Wednesday at higher elevations.

Snow depth at White Pass is around 100 cm in sheltered areas and up to 200 cm on wind-loaded slopes. Shallower snowpack areas (< 1 m) are reported to be quite facetted and loose.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Flurries up to around 5 cm, moderate to strong S wind, treeline low around 10 °C.

Wednesday

Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks and a chance of flurries, light to moderate SE-S winds, treeline high around -8 °C.

Wednesday night and Thursday

Mainly cloudy with light snowfall 5-10 cm, moderate to strong S-SW winds, treeline high around -4 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with light snowfall 5-10 cm, strong SE-S winds, treeline high around 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Depending on the strength of the wind on Tuesday night, new wind slab formation is possible at higher elevations. Be sure to assess for changing conditions as you gain elevation, and use extra caution in leeward terrain features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2023 4:00PM