Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 17th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs may be reactive to riders especially where they are sitting on a crust or a weak layer at treeline and above.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Isolated wind slab were reactive to skier traffic on Tuesday.
Pockets of wind slab may continue to be reactive to rider triggers, especially on southerly-facing slopes.
Snowpack Summary
New snow up to 20 cm with moderate to strong northeast winds may have formed fresh wind slabs. The new low-density snow may show a poor bond to old snow surfaces including surface hoar, faceted snow and wind-pressed snow.
A crust up to 1900 m is found down 30-50 cm. In areas east of Quesnel and Williams Lake, reports say there is also a layer of surface hoar associated with the crust. This may also exist in sheltered alpine terrain features.
The midpack is reportedly well-settled and supportive.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Clear periods. Ridgetop wind 25 km/h from the east. Treeline temperatures near -19 C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind 20-25 km/h from the south and treeline temperatures near -8 C. Possible weak temperature inversion in the alpine.
Friday
New snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop wind 25-35 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperature -3 C.
Saturday
New snow 5-15 cm. Ridgetop winds light from the southwest. Treeline temperatures near -3 C. Freezing levels 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.
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have built slabs at and below ridgetops in atypical areas. These slabs are likely to be more reactive where they overlie a weak layer of surface hoar and/or a crust.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM
