Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 28th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs formed during strong outflow winds linger in exposed alpine terrain. While numerous buried weak layers demand careful terrain selection.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several wind slab avalanches, up to size 2, were reported on Friday. All in alpine terrain on a variety of aspects and triggered by skiers, explosives, or naturally.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
Recent outflow winds have stripped northerly aspects in the alpine, redistributing the snow into wind slabs on lee, southerly terrain. While at lower elevations a widespread melt-freeze crust exists on the surface up to roughly 1900 m and is preventing the wind from transporting much snow. The crust continues to gain strength and is becoming supportive at most elevations.
In the mid and lower snowpack, a number of buried weak layers remain a concern. These layers are most concerning in shallow, rocky areas at treeline and alpine elevations.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Clear, with no precipitation. Treeline temperatures -5 to -15 C. Moderate to strong northeast alpine winds, with strong to extreme outflow winds in valleys and inlets.
Sunday
Sunny, with no precipitation. Treeline temperatures 0 to -10 C. Light to moderate northwest alpine winds, with strong to extreme outflow winds in valleys and inlets.
Monday
Cloudy with sunny periods, with flurries and trace amounts of snow. Treeline temperatures 0 to -10 C. Moderate to strong northwest alpine winds.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, 2 to 5 cm. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. Moderate to strong southwest alpine winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs formed during periods of strong outflow winds will continue to linger in steep, exposed alpine terrain.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A number of buried weak layers remain possible to trigger. These layers appear to be most problematic in upper treeline/lower alpine elevations, in shallow, rocky start zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 29th, 2023 4:00PM
