Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada lbaker, Avalanche Canada

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Seek out sheltered terrain where snow has not been wind-affected to find the best riding.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Reports on Saturday indicate avalanche activity was limited to a few wind slabs to size 1.5 at treeline and some loose dry avalanches from steep terrain to size 1.

Please continue to post your reports and photos to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow from the weekend is found in wind-sheltered terrain features. In some areas, new snow sits on top of a thin melt-freeze crust. 50 cm of settling snow sits over a hard crust at higher elevations. Below 700 m surface is a hard crust.

Last week's rain saturated the snowpack and created a well-consolidated lower snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 2 cm accumulation. Westerly ridgetop winds of 15-30 km/h. Overnight temperature low -4C. Freezing level of 800 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries easing in the evening, 2 cm accumulation. Westerly ridge top winds 15-30 km/h. 1500m temperature high of -2C. Freezing levels of 1200 m during the day. 

Overnight an above freezing layer begins to develop between 1500-2800m.

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Light westerly ridgetop winds gusting to 25 km/h. 1500m temperature high of +3C. An above freezing layer is present between 1500-2800m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light westerly ridgetop winds gusting to 30 km/h. 1500m temperature high of +1C. An above freezing layer is present between 1500-2800m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Where winds have impacted surfaces, particularly around ridgelines, thin wind slabs are found and may be reactive to human traffic. Winds have switched directions creating wind slabs on a variety of aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2023 4:00PM

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