Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada swerner, Avalanche Canada

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The new snow may form reactive storm slabs, in areas where a slab is not found dry loose avalanches are likely.

Persistent slabs are best managed through conservative terrain selection.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, dry loose sluffing from steep slopes and terrain features were seen.

New storm slabs may be reactive on Thursday, especially in wind affected terrain. Dry loose power sluffing may be the name of the game in most places that are sheltered from the wind.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of low-density storm snow has buried a variety of snow surfaces. It sits above unconsolidated faceted snow, surface hoar and firm wind-pressed snow in open terrain at treeline and above.

Down 50 -70 cm, a crust, facet and or surface hoar layer exists. This may become a problem once the snow above starts to stiffen and form a slab.

130+ cm down another surface hoar layer exists that was buried in early December. This seems to be of most concern above 2000 m where a robust crust doesn't exist above it, or in shallow snowpack areas.

The depth of the snowpack varies greatly throughout the region and weak basal facets are present at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with possible clear periods, ridgetop wind 15-20 km/h from the east, treeline temperatures near -15 C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop wind 10-15 km/h from the east and treeline temperatures near -9 C.

Friday

New snow 5-10 cm, ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h from the southeast, treeline temperature -3 C.

Saturday

New snow 5-10 cm, ridgetop winds light from the southwest, treeline temperatures near -3 C. Freezing levels 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
  • Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Storm slabs may be touchier in wind effected terrain.

Dry loose power sluffing will likely exist in wind sheltered terrain, especially on steep slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Two weak layers of surface hoar exists deeper in the snowpack. They have been recently been reactive and triggered by people. As the unconsolidated snow settles and forms a slab, a reactive upper snowpack may exist.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Basal facets remain a concern in steep, rocky alpine features with thin-to-thick snowpack transitions.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM

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