Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Assess for wind slabs in steep terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received reports of recent avalanches. Looking forward, isolated pockets of wind slabs could be triggered by riders in steep lee terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 10 cm of soft snow from the weekend overlies a settled snowpack. Southerly wind may have formed pockets of wind slabs in lee terrain features.

Snow depths at White Pass are around 100 cm in sheltered areas and 200 cm on wind-loaded slopes.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy with no precipitation, 5 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with no precipitation, 5 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud, 10 to 20 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

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.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Southerly wind may have formed wind slabs in lee terrain features. Assess for them prior to entering steep terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2023 4:00PM