Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM

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

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Watch for wind slabs on steep open slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, however a few small wind slab avalanches have been observed in neighbouring parts of the North Rockies over the past few days.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine, up to 15 cm of recent snow sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including wind-scoured snow and faceted snow. At treeline and below, the recent snow sits on a widespread crust.

The snowpack is shallow and faceted with multiple crusts. Pockets of deeper snow may be found near ridges, gully features, and established avalanche paths. Average snowpack depths at treeline average between 40 and 80 cm.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy with no precipitation, light winds shifting from northeast to southwest, treeline temperature -22 °C.

Friday

Increasing cloud with a trace of snow in the evening, southwest alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow by the morning and up to 3 cm during the day, southwest alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with a trace of snow, southwest alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °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.
  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Northeast wind likely created complicated patterns of wind effect, and possibly formed wind slabs on south and east-facing slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 19th, 2024 4:00PM

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