Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Keep an eye on conditions that change with elevation and time. Wind slab could be encountered at higher elevations, as the freezing level rises wet loose avalanches will increase in size and likelihood.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several natural loose dry avalanches were reported on Mondayand Tuesday. These avalanches were up to size 1.5 and released in steep terrain.

Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing southerly winds have scoured south facing terrain and created wind slab on west, north and east facing terrain features. A new layer of surface hoar exists on or near the surface in sheltered terrain. around 50 to 70cmoverlies a rain crust formed in late December.

The mid-snowpack is well-settled. The lower snowpack consists of several crusts with weak faceted crystals above and below that are beginning to heal and bond to each other.

Snowpack depths are roughly 140 to 180 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate southeast winds and temperatures at 1800m around -7.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1600m.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate southerly winds. Freezing level around 1500m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light to moderate southerly winds and freezing levels around 1400m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Ongoing southerly winds have formed wind slab on west, north and east aspects. These wind slabs could still be rider triggerable.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

rising freezing levels will likely induce a small, natural, wet loose avalanche cycle.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2023 4:00PM