Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 27th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
A stable weather pattern has allowed danger ratings to fall. Continue to practice good travel habits and verify conditions as you travel. Isolated wind slabs may still be found at ridge line. Head to sheltered terrain at higher elevations for the best snow.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
The high pressure begins to break down Friday with an active system bringing light snowfall over the weekend.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear skies with valley cloud possible. Moderate southwest wind, freezing levels around 2600 m. Alpine high +5.
FRIDAY: Scattered cloud with moderate to strong southwest wind. The inversion remains strong with freezing levels around 2500 m persisting into the evening. Alpine high +3.
SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, with strong southwest winds. Alpine high -1. Freezing levels around 1000 m. Isolated flurries possible.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall delivering up to 5 cm by Sunday evening. Freezing levels remain around 800 m. Moderate to strong southwest winds.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity has been reported.
Observations are limited. If you head out into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
A thick melt freeze crust sits on the surface on all aspects at lower elevations. Sunny alpine slopes may have a thin melt freeze crust on the surface, from solar affect. Direct sun is reportedly softening the crusts on only on steep south facing slopes throughout the day.
Higher elevations still hold dry snow. Moderate winds have redistributed this into alpine wind slabs mostly found on north through east facing slopes, however recent wind directions have varied so expect loading on all aspects around ridge line.
The early December crust/facet layer can be found around 100-150 cm deep, most prominent between 1700 and 2100 m. In shallow features it may sit only 50cm below the surface. This layer showed no reactivity from the warming event on the weekend and is currently classified as dormant. Large loads may still be able to trigger avalanches on this layer, especially in terrain where the snowpack thins.
Terrain and Travel
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
Problems
Wind Slabs
These isolated pockets of at higher elevations may remain reactive to human triggers in lee terrain near ridge crest or in extreme terrain. Fresh wind slabs may form as southwest winds increase during the day.
As avalanche danger decreases, keep up good travel habits when moving through avalanche terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 28th, 2022 4:00PM
