Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada istorm, Avalanche Canada

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Natural avalanches are most likely during periods of intense snow and wind.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1 loose dry avalanches in steep terrain were reported.

Thanks for the observations and please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It is really helpful for forecasters!

Snowpack Summary

At treeline and above 30 cm or more recent storm snow covers a rain runnelled crust. Storm snow amounts lessen and it becomes wetter or frozen at lower elevations, disappearing around 500 to 700 m.

Last week's rain storm saturated the snowpack at all elevations and pretty much removed all layering.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night: Southerly wind increasing to moderate or strong. 30 mm but maybe as much as 50 mm of precipitation with freezing level around 1000m and snow level as low as 600 m.

Wednesday: Continued snow with 25 to 40 mm of water equivalency forecast. Freezing level remains steady around 1000m but wet snow as low as 600 m during the peak of the storm. Moderate to strong south winds.

Thursday

Dry. Mix of sun and cloud. Light NW wind. Freezing level around 500 m with treeline temperatures around -5 C.

Friday

Dry. Mostly cloudy. Light northwest wind. Freezing level around 500 m with treeline temperatures around -5 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

The problem is most likely at higher elevations on steeper slopes where more than 25 cm of snow accumulates, especially if it's dry or wind driven snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2023 4:00PM

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