Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 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 wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Strong winds have redistributed new snow into fresh wind slabs.

Expect reactivity and manage your exposure to wind affected slopes above terrain traps and steep slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanches were reported on Friday, as new snow accumulated. We also expect natural and human triggered wind slabs to have throughout the region.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of storm snow can be found, affected by moderate to strong north/east winds at higher elevations. New snow sits over wind affected surfaces at higher elevations.

A melt freeze crust from mid January may sit just below the surface in exposed areas and around 30 cm deep in sheltered terrain, found up to 2100 m.

The mid snowpack continues to settle and is well consolidated. Facets exist near the base of the snowpack. Total snowpack depth ranges between 90 to 125 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Some cloud overnight. Moderate northeast winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom. Trace accumulations.

Sunday

Sunny with trace amounts of snow expected. Moderate northerly winds continue, alpine high temperatures of -16°C.

Monday

Sunny with increasing afternoon cloud. Winds switch to moderate (gusting strong) westerlies. Alpine high of -16°C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Light snowfall expected. Moderate westerlies. Alpine high of -12°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Expect find fresh wind slabs on south and west facing terrain features. Older more stubborn wind slabs will be buried by new snow, they exist on a variety of aspects and may still react to human triggers.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 29th, 2023 4:00PM

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