Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeLess snow fell than expected, however storm snow will still take time to strengthen.
Watch for reactivity on steep slopes and wind affected terrain features.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday a size 2 natural storm slab was observed on a northeast facing slope.
On Wednesday there were a few size 1 avalanches triggered by explosives in the storm snow with impressively wide propagation.
Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of storm snow is likely to be found in wind sheltered terrain features. This sits over around 50 cm of settling snow at higher elevations, which tapers to a hard crust at lower elevations, below 700 m.
Last weeks rain saturated the snowpack and created a well settled and strong lower snowpack.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Light snowfall continues delivering a few more centimeters over the evening. Freezing levels remain around 500 m, and moderate southerly winds begin to ease.
Sunday
Clearing skies with light to moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. No snowfall expected.
Monday
Cloudy with isolated flurries delivering up to 5 cm. Moderate to strong northwest winds return. Freezing levels around 500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with isolated flurries possible. Moderate to strong northwest winds. Freezing levels around 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
- Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs may remain reactive to human triggers as they gain strength with the old snow surface. Watch for deeper deposits and more reactivity around ridgelines and on north and east facing slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2023 4:00PM