Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 8th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices and Wind Slabs.
dboucher,
Avalanche Canada
Freezing level rising and temperature warming will increase the avalanche danger thoughout the day. Large cornices may become weak and easy to trigger.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.
Weather Forecast
 The freezing levels will rise significantly to over 2000 metres on Sunday but with no precipitation forecast.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Flurries, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 30-50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 C with freezing level at 500 m.
SUNDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, no precipitation, 20-40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature +5 C with freezing level rising to 2400 m.
MONDAY: Cloudy with scattered showers, accumulation 5 mm, 30-60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature 0 C with freezing level going down to 1000 m.
TUESDAY: Rain, heavy at times, accumulation 50-60 mm, 40-70 km/h south wind, treeline temperature +3 C with freezing level at 2000 m.
Avalanche Summary
Although avalanche activity is expected to have decreased on Saturday, it may remain possible for humans to trigger slabs where recent precipitation fell as snow. At lower elevations, any snow that accumulates on Saturday may slide easily on the melt-freeze crust.
We'd appreciate any observations while you are out travelling on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Rain soaked the snowpack below around 1200 m, which subsequently froze into a hard melt-freeze crust. Above 1200 m, new wind slabs formed from recent snow (50-70 cm) and moderate to strong southwest winds.Â
Around 100 to 150 cm deep, a thin and hard melt-freeze crust may sit above sugary faceted grains that formed during the cold spell in late December. Reports suggest that the snowpack may be bonding well to these previous surfaces.
The middle and base of the snowpack are strong, consisting of well-bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.
Terrain and Travel
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Cornices
With rising freezing level and temperature warming during the day, large cornices developed with recent snow and wind may become weak and easy to trigger. Also, keep in mind that cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs have formed from recent snow and strong southerly wind. Expect to find them in steep, lee terrain features near ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 9th, 2022 4:00PM
