Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 1st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
New snow, mild temperatures and southerly winds have built fresh wind slabs in lees.
Use caution when transitioning into wind-affected areas. Carefully assess the bond between new slabs and the underlying surfaces.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported recently but we suspect that wind slabs are reactive to human-triggering.
Continue to support your backcountry community and please consider submitting a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm and moderate southerly winds have built deep pockets of windslab in open areas.
In the mid-pack, down around 50 to 70cm, it could be possible to find a thin layer of facets between old wind slabs. This layer recently produced sudden results in snowpack tests.
The height of the snowpack is variable. In areas lee of the prevailing wind, depths of up to 170cm can be found. At the lower elevation treeline terrain, snow depths decrease and are estimated at 60-90 cm.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with snow, 10-15 cm expected at White pass. Ridgetop winds southerly 40 to 60 km/h. Low of -6 at 1500m.
Monday
Mainly cloudy with flurries, 2 to 4 cm accumulation expected at White Pass. Ridgetop winds southerly 40 to 60 km/h. High of -5 at 1500m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with light flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Southerly 40 to 60 km/h winds shift to easterly 20 km/h. High of -6 at 1500m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with light flurries, trace accumulation. Southeasterly winds 20 km/h. High of -8 at 1500m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New storm snow and moderate to strong southerly winds have built fresh wind slabs in lees. Expect to find large, reactive wind slabs on west, north and east aspects. Stay off wind-loaded slopes until they have a chance to stabilize.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 2nd, 2023 4:00PM
