Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 8th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
While the likelihood of triggering a deep persistent layer may be decreasing, it is very difficult to predict where you will or will not trigger a large avalanche.
Continue to take a conservative approach while traveling in avalanche terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No significant avalanche activity has been reported in the last couple of days.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
The upper snowpack continues to settle and bond with mild temperatures. The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak and faceted, with a number of weak layers. Down 30 to 50 cm from the surface is a weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar, buried in mid-December. A weak layer of facets and a crust buried in November is down roughly 50 to 110 cm from the surface. The lower snowpack below this November weak layer is weak and highly facetted to the ground.
Snowpack depths are roughly 60 to 150 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Cloudy with flurries, 0 to 5 cm. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.
Monday
Cloudy with sunny breaks and flurries, 0 to 5 cm. Mostly light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud, flurries in the morning, 0 to 2 cm. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, no precipitation. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer near the base of the snowpack remains a concern despite lack of recent avalanche activity. Human triggering of this layer remains possible, especially in shallow areas with variable snow depths.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A layer of surface hoar, facets and/or a crust may be found around 40 to 70 cm deep, which is a prime depth for human triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
With moderate overnight winds forecast, expect wind slab formation at higher elevation, in exposed terrain, like ridge or rib features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 9th, 2023 4:00PM
