Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 12th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ejones,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for reverse loading, as northerly winds have built wind slabs.
Read about managing extreme cold in the backcountry here.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
With north winds transporting snow, reactive wind slabs may exist on slopes in reverse loading patterns.
On Wednesday, size 1 slab avalanches were reported on south-facing treeline slopes.
A widespread avalanche cycle occurred on Monday. For an in depth look at conditions in the North Shore Mountains, check out this update.
Snowpack Summary
Outflow (northerly) winds have transported 40 to 60 cm of recent snow, forming reactive wind slabs in atypical areas and at lower elevations than normal.
In the North Shore Mountains, up to mountaintop in most areas, a crust exists down 10 to 20 cm from a rain event near the end of the last storm.
This overlies 50-80 cm of snow over a crust and a well-settled snowpack.
The last few storms have brought winter to the North Shore Mountains and lower-elevation areas may have reached the threshold for avalanches. Beware of buried early-season hazards.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clear with no new snow. Northerly winds 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop to -25°C.
Saturday
Sunny with no new snow. Northerly winds 10 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperatures around -15 °C.
Sunday
A few clouds with no new snow. Northerly winds 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures around -10 °C.
Monday
Mainly sunny with no new snow. Northerly winds 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -10°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Expect north winds to have formed wind slabs in any exposed terrain. Watch for reverse-loading patterns.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 13th, 2024 4:00PM
