Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 2nd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
The snowpack consists of multiple buried weak layers that continue to produce large human-triggered avalanches.
Continue to stay disciplined and make conservative terrain choices.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous large to very large (size 2 to 3) avalanches were triggered by riders, explosives, and naturally on Monday, failing on the weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary. Most avalanches were between 1800 m and 2500 m, 70 to 200 cm deep, and on all aspects. Here is an example. These avalanches continue to show us that these buried layers are triggerable and high consequences would result from being caught. Many of these human-triggered avalanches were a surprise to the individuals triggering them.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 50 to 70 cm of new snow continues to settle and bond over a weak layer buried just before Christmas. This layer consists of sugary faceted grains and/or small surface hoar and has been responsible for numerous recent large natural and human-triggered avalanches.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak and facetted, with a number of weak layers present. A layer of particular concern that was buried in November, consists of weak facets, surface hoar, and/or a thin crust, and is roughly 100 to 150 cm down from the surface.
Snowpack depths are roughly 150 to 200 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Mostly clear with no precipitation. Light southerly winds. -5 C at treeline. A slight temperature inversion in the alpine.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation. Light southerly winds. -5 to -10 C at treeline.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation. Light southerly winds. -10 C at treeline.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation. Light easterly winds. -5 to -10 C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Choose simple, low-angle, well supported terrain without convexities.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Multiple weak layers persist deep in the snowpack. Much of the avalanche activity has occurred in generally shallow areas with variable snow depths. Larger than expected avalanches are possible due to the likelihood of avalanches stepping down to deeper weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
