Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 16th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
New snow and moderate southwest winds will build fresh slabs at higher elevations. Avoid areas that feel stiff or slabby under your skis, they may be more reactive to human triggering.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported by 4 pm on Tuesday.
On Monday, a skier accidental size 1 storm slab avalanche was reported on an east aspect at treeline.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
New snow is accumulating over faceted surfaces in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas at all elevations.
A layer of surface hoar is found down 70 cm in sheltered, north-facing terrain. This layer appears as a sun crust on south-facing slopes. As temperatures slowly warm this layer may become reactive to human triggering. The middle of the snowpack contains a series of old melt freeze-crusts.
A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, 5 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries, 10 cm of snow across the region with local hot spots seeing up to 20 cm of low-density snow by the end of the day, southwest alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with no new precipitation, northwest alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 3 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Use appropriate sluff management techniques.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Problems
Storm Slabs
As storm snow accumulates through the day watch for signs of instability, such as cracking and recent avalanches, increasing. Be especially cautious in leeward terrain where southwest winds may be developing more cohesive slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 17th, 2024 4:00PM
