Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada lholtzman, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slab avalanches are happening in this region. Avoid wind loaded terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday we received multiple reports of wind slab avalanches up to size 2. The Avalanche Canada field team even reported one size 2 wind slab avalanche on Wednesday near Kitwanga

Snowpack Summary

The outflow winds from the north east continue to redistribute and build new windslabs. Under this old wind slabs can be found on all aspects in exposed terrain from previous variable winds. These wind slabs overlie a poorly bonded facetted layer

In sheltered areas, up to 35 cm of low density snow sits on a decomposing rain crust up to 1650 m.

Two surface hoar layers can be found buried between 50 and 90 cm deep and have become unlikely to trigger.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear overnight with no snow expected, east alpine winds up to 40 km/hr, treeline temperature -18 °C .

Thursday

Partly cloudy, increasing cloud overnight, no snow expected, south east alpine winds up to 35 km/hr, treeline temp -20 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy and increasing in the afternoon/ evening, snowfall amounts up to 10 cm through the day increasing overnight, south east wind 20-30 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, snowfall up to 5 cm expected through the day, south west alpine winds up to 20 km/hr, treeline temperatures -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent snow and moderate northerly winds are loading onto existing wind slabs, which overlie a poorly bonded facetted layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM

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