Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 2nd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid wind-loaded areas at upper elevations. The top layer of snow is sitting on a crust and could remain reactive to human triggering for longer than is typical.
Be mindful of your aspect and elevation as changes in avalanche reactivity will correspond with your choice of terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, many riders got surprised by small (size 1) reactive wind slabs failing on the underlying rain crust. These slabs occurred in wind-loaded terrain in the alpine and treeline. More evidence of these types of avalanches were observed on Sunday as well.
Wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering for longer than is typical due the crust they are sitting on. Avoid wind-loaded terrain and watch for signs of instability as you travel.
Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Storms that wrapped up on the 31st, brought 15 to 40 cm and were accompanied by strong southwest winds creating hard wind-affected surfaces in open areas, and wind slabs in lee terrain features. This new snow overlies a rain crust formed earlier in the week.
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
Monday Night
Clear skies, no accumulation, winds south 10 to 20 km/h, freezing level dropping to the valley bottom.
Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny periods, trace accumulation late in the day, winds southwest 25 km/h, temperatures -5 to 0 °C at 1500 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, winds south to southeast 15 to 30 km/h, temperatures -3 °C at 1500 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with late day sun, trace accumulation, winds southeast 15 to 30 km/h, temperatures-5 °C at 1500 m.
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.
- Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong southerly winds have redistributed 15 to 40 cm of recent snow into deep deposits of wind slabs at higher elevations. These wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering, particularly where they overlie a slick crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
