Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 4th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
llarson,
Avalanche Canada
Rider-triggered avalanches are still possible where the persistent weak layer is closer to the snow surface in shallow snowpack areas.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported in the area.
This rider triggered a small avalanche in an opening, as shown in this MIN. This confirms the persistent weak layer is still a player in the north of this region. Caution should be taken in challenging or complex terrain given the uncertainty and consequence of large avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs may still be lingering in open terrain features in the alpine and treeline. A hard melt-freeze crust can be found up to treeline elevations formed by rain on December 26. A surface crust formed during yesterday's sunny skies may be found up to around 1600 m on all aspects and up to ridgetop on sun-exposed slopes.
Two deeper layers of surface hoar and facets could still be triggered in specific terrain. These include a 40 to 80 cm deep layer buried mid-December and an 80 to 150 cm deep layer buried mid-November. These layers are generally deeper around Fernie and shallower towards Sparwood and Elkford. This MIN post from the South Rockies Field Team describes the snowpack north of Sparwood. In these shallow snowpack areas, weak layers may be easier to trigger where they are buried within the top 100 cm of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Clearing overnight, no new snow, 10 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature - 10 °C.
Thursday
Increasing cloud, flurries possible later in the day, 2 to 5 cm new snow, 10 to 20 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -4 °C.
FridayMostly cloudy, 3 to 5 cm new snow, 20 to 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -5 ºC.
SaturdayMostly cloudy, 3 to 5 cm new snow, 10 - 20 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -5 ºC
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.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs developed over the past few days will need some time to bond to previous surfaces.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers are likely gaining strength but the possibility of triggering a large persistent slab avalanche remains. There are two weak layers, both composed of surface hoar and facets, anywhere from 40 to 150 cm deep. It may be more likely to trigger these layers where they are buried relatively shallow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 5th, 2023 4:00PM
