Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 12th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slabs are the main concern. Winds switching direction have formed wind slabs on all aspects.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A recent (12-24hr) natural wind slab release was observed to the northwest of Rosswood on Monday. This occurred on a steep, unsupported alpine feature at 1600 m and triggered a secondary, larger slide on the slope below it.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong southerly wind has formed wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges while settled storm snow exists in sheltered terrain, and moist snow or a hard crust is found below around 900 m and on solar aspects.

Weak layers that were reactive over the Christmas and New Year's period have shown signs of bonding and gaining strength. These include a surface hoar layer buried on Dec 28 found 40 to 60 cm deep and a facet layer buried on Dec 23 found 60 to 100 cm deep.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Scattered Flurries, accumulation up to 5-8cm. Light southerly winds. Treeline high temperatures around -4.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate southerly winds. Treeline high temperatures around -3.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5-10cm. Moderate to strong south winds. Treeline high temperatures around -3.

Sunday

mix of sun and cloud. Light south winds. Treeline high temperatures around -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Exercise caution on steep, unsupported slopes.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Winds switching from southerly to northerly over the past several days have formed wind slabs on all aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 13th, 2023 4:00PM

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