Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for conditions changing throughout the day. Ssmall rider triggerable wind slabs may form as a result of new snow and wind.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. There are very few field observations coming from this forecast area. Remember that a lack of avalanche reports does not necessarily mean a lack of avalanche activity.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

A crust may exist on or near the surface at treeline and below, with recent warm temperatures. The upper snowpack is typically well settled, with no current layers of concern.

The mid-pack contains various noteworthy layers; including two surface hoar layers, one down roughly 20 to 40 cm and another down roughly 60 to 90 cm. Between the two surface hoar layers a crust may exist, primarily at lower elevations.

The current snowpack has considerable variation in structure and depths across the region but is generally facetted and weak.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -4°C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected, northeast alpine wind 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -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.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Buried surface hoar layers remain a cause for concern. Uncertainty remains about the distribution and reactivity of these layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow accompanied by southerly wind may form rider triggerable wind slabs on lee features throughout the day.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 4th, 2024 4:00PM