Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 8th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
MH,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for fresh wind slabs in the alpine and into treeline from a bit of new snow and strong Southerly winds overnight.
The persistent weak layers are most likely to be triggered from shallow, rocky areas. Do your best to avoid these locations.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No human-triggered avalanches reported within the last few days.
No Natural activity was observed or reported on Sunday.
MacDonald Gully 8 produced a sz 1.5 wind slab avalanche on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
The top 30cm of snow has settled, but still skis/rides quite well. Wind-affected snow can be found in the alpine and open areas at treeline.
The December 23rd facet interface is down ~50cm and appears to be gaining strength, but remains a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
The November 17th facet/crust/surface hoar layer is down ~100cm and has become less reactive in snowpack tests, though when it does fail it is 'sudden' in character.
Weather Summary
5cm of snow is expected to fall by the first sip of your warm beverage on Monday morning. Mainly cloudy skies with periods of sun and snow flurries throughout the day. Ridgetop winds will be 10-25km/hr from the South with an alpine high of -6.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and strong Southerly winds Sunday night into Monday will likely form fresh wind slab in the alpine and into the tree line. If triggered these wind slabs could step down to deeper instabilities.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
30-60cm of settled snow buries the Dec 23 facet interface. This layer will be a concern in thin rocky areas, on convex rolls, or in areas where the snowpack is unsupported.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The Nov 17 layer, down 60-120cm, consists of facets, a rotting crust in some locations, and decomposing surface hoar. Though becoming less likely to trigger, the resulting avalanche would be quite destructive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 9th, 2023 4:00PM
