Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 5th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Be prepared to dial back your terrain choice and keep an eye out for signs of instability.
Storm slab size and sensitivity could increase throughout the day.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No significant avalanches have been reported in the region in the past few days. Avalanche activity will likely increase with the incoming weather.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40 cm of recent snow is forming storm slabs at all elevations. A variety of surfaces are found below this new snow including surface hoar in sheltered terrain and a crust below 1600 m.
A layer of surface hoar down roughly 60 to 120 cm remains problematic despite a lack of recent signs of reactivity. A hard crust above this layer is likely protecting it from human-triggering at lower elevations.
Weak basal facets characterize the bottom of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with up to 15 cm of new snow expected, south alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, west alpine wind 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, west alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -11°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Choose relatively conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow accompanied by southerly wind will form storm and wind slabs throughout the day. These slabs will overlie a layer of large surface hoar making them more reactive at treeline.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Buried surface hoar is likely becoming harder to trigger by riders, however, consequences remain high if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Basal facets remain a concern, particularly in steep, rocky terrain characterized by varying snowpack depths ranging from thin to thick.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 6th, 2024 4:00PM
