Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jpercival, Avalanche Canada

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Recent new snow continues to be redistributed by northerly winds. Cold weather is forecast to warm, but is still a concern. Review this blog for great strategies for managing the cold.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports in the region indicate naturally occurring slab avalanches have been observed to size 2.5 in alpine terrain.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of recent, low-density snow has both been pressed and redistributed due to wind effect. This recent snow is found sitting atop a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar, crusts and/or facets.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak with several layers of note. Of greatest concern are weak facets and/or depth hoar located at the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in alpine terrain.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 60 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -28 °C.

Sunday

Sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.

Monday

Sunny with no precipitation, north alpine wind 10 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.

Tuesday

Sunny with no precipitation, north alpine wind 10 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent low-density snow has been redistributed into thin wind slabs in exposed alpine terrain features like ridges and steep rollovers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower snowpack is characterized by facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack in most alpine areas. The likelihood of triggering a deep persistent slab is low, however the consequence of doing so is high.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2024 4:00PM

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