Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

Email

Carefully assess and verify conditions. Observations in this region have been limited and we are uncertain of reactivity of weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No significant avalanches have been reported in the region in the past few days.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

A crust may exist on or near the surface at treeline and below, with recent warm temperatures. The upper snowpack is typically well settled, with no current layers of concern.

The mid-pack contains various noteworthy layers; including two surface hoar layers, one down roughly 20 to 40 cm and another down roughly 60 to 90 cm. Between the two surface hoar layers a crust may exist, primarily at lower elevations.

The current snowpack has considerable variation in structure and depths across the region but is generally facetted and weak.

 

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

A mix of cloud and clear skies with up to 5 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with A few centimeters of new snow expected, west alpine wind 15 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -12°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.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Buried surface hoar is likely becoming harder to trigger, however, consequences remain high if triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow accompanied by southerly wind may form small rider triggerable wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2024 4:00PM