Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 7th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
jleblanc,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for changing conditions throughout the day with incoming precipitations.
The timing of the next storm is uncertain, but hazard will increase as the storm pushes in.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported since Thursday. We suspect at the peak of the rain event Thursday nigh, a natural avalanche cycle would have occurred at treeline on all aspects.
Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.
Snowpack Summary
20-25 cm of moist snow is found at treeline and sits on a supportive crust formed late December. At the higher elevation, dry snow may be present. As the freezing level falls, a new crust will form on all aspects at treeline. Below treeline, the snow surface will likely remain moist and saturated.
Weather Summary
A weak trough will continue to push moisture in the region Saturday night with a southerly flow aloft. On Sunday, another trough will generate periods of moderate precipitations until Monday night. The heaviest precipitation will fall along upslope regions of the South Coast. Overcast skies and dry conditions are expected Tuesday.
Saturday night
Stormy 10-15 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations, rain at treeline and below, moderate southeast winds gusting 50 km/h, freezing levels around 1500 m, low of +2C at treeline.
Sunday
Stormy 10-20 cm of new snow expected in the afternoon at higher elevations, rain at treeline and below, moderate southeast winds gusting 50 km/h, freezing levels around 1500 m, low of +2C at treeline.
Monday
Stormy with up 15-20 mm of rain, snow only at the highest elevation terrain, moderate southeast winds gusting at 60 km/h, freezing levels rising to 1900 m, high of +5C.
Tuesday
5-10 mm of rain, snow only at the highest elevation terrain, moderate southeast winds, freezing levels around 1900 m, high of +5C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh and reactive wind slabs will likely develop on specific north-facing features at higher elevations. Older wind slabs may still be found on various aspects due to last week's variable winds. Closely monitor the bond between the slabs and the underlying crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Forecasted rain will likely create some loose wet avalanches on steep slopes at treeline and below. Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 8th, 2023 4:00PM
