Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 29th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

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Use extra caution in wind effected terrain. New wind slab has formed over a variety of surfaces that it will likely not bond well to.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: some light flurries with moderate southwest winds. Low of -3 at 900m.

Sunday: some light flurries with light winds. High of -3 at 900m.

Monday: light flurries ending in the afternoon. moderate west winds with a high of -3 at 900m.

Tuesday: some light flurries with a high of -5 at 900m. Winds in the morning will be light north and then shifting to east.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a very large (size 3) wind slab was triggered by a natural cornice fall. This avalanche was on a north east aspect at 1700m.

Snowpack Summary

up to 15cm of recent storm snow overlies a variety of surfaces including surface hoar, facets, old wind slab and a crust. A melt freeze crust caps most of the terrain at or below treeline as well as south facing terrain in the alpine. Surface hoar can be found in isolated sheltered features at treeline.

The January 19th surface hoar layer can still be found down 30 to 50 at treeline and above in sheltered terrain. Recent reports indicate that it is becoming less of a concern. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Rider triggerable wind slab will likely still be found at treeline and above. Sensitivity could be greater in areas where wind slab has formed over a crust, facets or surface hoar.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Although we have not seen reports of avalanches on this layer in a few days it is likely still possible to trigger it in isolated sheltered terrain features on north and east aspects at treeline where a crust has not formed above it.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2022 4:00PM