Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 10th, 2024 2:30PM

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

Avalanche Canada matt, Avalanche Canada

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Hard to have a headline and not mention the incoming cold. Starting tomorrow it looks like we will have to contend with -30 temperatures. Remember, this is a very unforgiving temperature! If you do go out, bring extra clothing, food/hot drinks and don't go far.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Nothing was reported today, but we expect there was a loose dry cycle going on with maybe a slab here and there.

Snowpack Summary

We've had up to 30-50 in the last 5 days. With that we've had variable winds, both for direction and intensity. That means we've got a number of windslab layers that are likely buried under the most recent storm snow. These will be relatively quick to settle and bond to one another, but expect reactive slabs in immediate lee areas. Beneath these windslabs there is a layer of either facets, or hard windslab. Further down yet, we have the crust that's hanging in there.

Weather Summary

We are expecting another 4cm of snow in the next 24 hours. That's the good news, the bad news is the temperatures are going to plummet and settle around the -35 mark as of tomorrow afternoon. Luckily winds will be light, which will keep the wind chill down.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Approach ridges and lee areas with caution. Past winds have created buried windslabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem will be with us all season. At higher elevations there is more concern that these deep persistent weak layers could be human triggerable.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

With this much storm snow available, gullies and large cliff faces will be shedding snow. In confined areas expect these to run far and fast. When we do get some wind, expect these to light up.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 11th, 2024 4:00PM

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