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, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.
MW,
Avalanche Canada
New snow this weekend will freshen up the skiing and introduce a storm slab problem.
Expect dry loose avalanches in steep unsupported terrain as the new snow sits over a firm, wind-affected surface.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported today.
A size 2 avalanche was noted on Tuesday on Mt Athabasca's North Glacier below the ramp. The avalanche ran to glacier ice likely on facets. This shows that avalanches can still happen on isolated terrain features.
Snowpack Summary
5-10cm of new snow sits over a wind-affected surface. The rest of the snowpack is weak and faceted with well-developed depth hoar at the base. Sheltered areas have an average snow depth of ~45-65 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday
Flurries. Snow 4 cm. Alpine temperature high -9 °C. Ridge wind N 10-20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. No precipitation. Ridge wind W: 10-20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom
Monday
Cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Ridge wind SW 15 km/h
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use caution when approaching steep and rocky terrian.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Incremental loading will increase this hazard throughout the day. This problem will likely transition to a wind slab in the near future.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Expect dry loose avalanches in steep unsupported terrain as the new snow sits over a firm, wind affected surface.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in isolated features, such as steep rocky terrain where you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 6th, 2024 4:00PM
