Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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Human-triggered deep slab avalanches remain possible. Maintain a disciplined approach and avoid high-consequence terrain.

Read more about this winter's widespread persistent weak layers in our recent Forecasters Blog

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No significant avalanche activity has been reported in the last couple of days.

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

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack continues to settle and bond with mild temperatures. The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak and faceted, with a number of weak layers. Down 30 to 50 cm from the surface is a weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar, buried in mid-December. A layer near the bottom of the snowpack buried in November consists of large, weak facetted crystals.

Snowpack depths are roughly 60 to 150 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Cloudy with flurries, 0 to 2 cm. Light southerly winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries, 0 to 2 cm. Light southerly winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny breaks and flurries, 0 to 2 cm. Light southerly winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, no precipitation. Light southerly winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A weak layer near the base of the snowpack remains a concern despite lack of recent avalanche activity. Human triggering of this layer remains possible, especially in shallow areas with variable snow depths.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A layer of surface hoar, facets and/or a crust may be found around 40 to 70 cm deep, which is a prime depth for human triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2023 4:00PM