Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2024 12:15PM

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

Avalanche Canada mkoppang, Avalanche Canada

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Well there is some snow forecast for the weekend! Not alot, but its something! Not much is changing out there at this time. Hard wind slabs and deep persistent slabs dominate the landscape.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new observed in the last couple of days.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds have stripped all available snow and left hard slabs and scoured to ground where exposed. The early December rain crust is still present down about 30 cm but is starting to show signs of breaking down in valley bottom areas. Weak basal facets and depth hoar complete the lower snowpack. Overall conditions more closely resemble early November as opposed to Early January!

Weather Summary

Temperatures will be around -8C on Wednesday with light winds out of the SW. Unfortunately, no new snow is in the forecast......

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem will be with us all season. At higher elevations there is more concern that these deep persistent weak layers could be human triggerable.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Just as you transition from treeline into the alpine watch for wind slabs. Lee and cross-loaded features are the main areas of concern.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2024 4:00PM

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