Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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Continually assess the snowpack for signs of instability with dynamic weather conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.

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

Snowpack Summary

High freezing levels produced moist surface snow up to 2000 m on Friday. As temperatures cool a crust will form.

At alpine elevations, roughly 10 cm of low-density snow since the weekend overlies a generally well-settled upper snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack consists of loose facets, with a significant weak layer of large facets and a crust down 80 to 120 cm from the surface. The snow below the crust is generally weak and unconsolidated.

Treeline snow depths are roughly 140 to 160 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Isolated wet flurries, trace accumulation. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline low temperatures -6 C. Freezing level falling to 1700 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline high temperatures around 0 C. Freezing level below 1700 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm. Moderate and gusty southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline high temperatures -1 C, freezing level below 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline high temperatures -3 C, freezing level below 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Human triggering of deep persistent weak layers remains possible, especially in shallow areas with variable snow depths. Consequences could be severe if triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2023 4:00PM