Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 3rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
While it is becoming less likely to trigger buried weak layers, if it does happen, the consequences could be severe
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday except for some small dry loose avalanches on steep south facing terrain in the Monashees.
Snowpack Summary
A variety of surfaces can be found in the alpine including wind pressed surfaces and a crust on steep south facing slopes. 5 to 10 mm surface hoar exists just below the surface on sheltered terrain.
A layer of surface hoar down roughly 60 to 100 cm remains problematic despite a lack of recent signs of reactivity. A hard crust above this layer is likely protecting it from human-triggering at lower elevations.
Weak basal facets characterize the bottom of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5°C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -3°C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud with around 5 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with around 10 cm of new snow expected, northeast alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried surface hoar is likely becoming harder to trigger, however, consequences remain high if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Basal facets remain a concern, particularly in steep, rocky terrain characterized by varying snowpack depths ranging from thin to thick.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New snow accompanied by southerly wind may form small rider triggerable wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 4th, 2024 4:00PM
