Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 8th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jleblanc,
Avalanche Canada
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
Pockets of wind slabs could be found at higher elevations and further downslope than normal.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several size 1 natural glide avalanches were observed in the last 24 hours near Yak Peak. Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of new snow has fallen into the region since Friday. Ongoing southerly winds have scoured south-facing and east-facing slopes. Evidence of cross-loading is also found on any open slopes. Wet and heavy snow is found up to 1500 m. As freezing levels fall, a new crust will form up to 1500 m.
In sheltered terrain, around 30 to 70 cm overlies a rain crust that formed in late December. The mid-snowpack is well-settled. The lower snowpack consists of several crusts with weak faceted crystals above and below that are beginning to heal and bond to each other.
Snowpack depths are roughly 145 to 185 cm at treeline and taper rapidly below 1500 m.
Weather Summary
A series of weak frontal bands will generate periods of light snowfalls Sunday night and Monday night. Overcast skies and dry conditions are expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sunday night
Cloudy, isolated flurries 2 cm, southwest winds increasing to 50 km/h, freezing levels around 1200 m, low of -4C at treeline.
Monday
Cloudy, lingering flurries 2-5 cm during the day, 5 cm overnight, moderate southerly winds gusting to 50 km/h, freezing level around 1000 m, high of -3C at treeline.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy, no precipitation, moderate southeasterly winds, freezing levels around 1500 m, high of -2C at treeline.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds, no precipitation, moderate southeasterly winds, freezing levels around 1000 m, high of -4C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous winds have created small pockets of wind slabs in alpine and open terrain at treeline. Expect to find wind slabs further downslope than normal as winds were strong. Keep exercising caution around ridge lines and cross-loaded features are where wind slabs are most likely to get triggered.
Aspects: North, North East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 9th, 2023 4:00PM
