Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 19th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada JH, Avalanche Canada

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Warming temps, new snow and wind are the perfect recipe for fresh slab formation.

Continue to re-evaluate conditions as you gain elevation and transition into open terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Thursday; there was a close call when a skier triggered a size 1.5 avalanche on the S/SW side of Cheops and was able to self arrest; and a skier triggered slab avalanche on a S facing moraine.

Wednesday there was a widespread natural cycle in the highway corridor, triggered by wind.

Tuesday, there was a skier triggered avalanche on the W Side of Cheops.

Early in the week, there were a few skier triggered avalanches reported.

*All skier triggered avalanches failed on a suncrust.

Snowpack Summary

15-25cms of recent storm snow overlies variable wind slabs/wind effect in open terrain, and settling facetted snow in sheltered areas below treeline.

A sun crust, down 40-55cm, and most prominent at treeline, has been the failure plane for isolated large skier triggered avalanches recently.

Below 2100m there is decomposing crust down 70-80cm (from Dec 5th/6th).

The Dec 1 surface hoar layer is down 90-120cm and is decomposing.

Weather Summary

Flurries this weekend, as a fading front dribbles inland. Expect a temperature inversion, as heavy cold air is slowly pushed out.

Tonight: Scattered flurries (5cm). Low -5°C. Light South ridgetop wind.

Sat: Isolated flurries. High -1°C. Freezing level (Fzl) 1800m. Light SW wind.

Sun: Scatered flurries (4cm). Low -4°C, High -2°C. Fzl 1700m. Light SW wind.

Mon: Isolated flurries. Low -6°C, High -3°C. Light S wind.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Fresh snow with variable wind continues to build fresh slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Be extra cautious on South through West aspects, there is a suncrust down 30-60cm that has been triggerable recently.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 20th, 2024 4:00PM

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