Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for conditions changing throughout the day. Ssmall rider triggerable wind slabs may form as a result of new snow and wind.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region, however there are currently very few field observations.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

New snow with southerly winds will likely form wind slab on lee features at upper elevations. A crust exists on or near the surface on all aspects treeline and below and on steep south aspects in the alpine. The upper snowpack is generally well settled with no current layers of concern.

The mid-pack generally contains two separate layers of surface hoar. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze crust may exist between the two surface hoar layers.

The current snowpack has considerable variation in structure and depths across the region.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -7°C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -3°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -3°C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, west alpine wind 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -6°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Start with conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Surface hoar layers in the mid pack are still a concern where a significant crust isn't found near the surface.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New rider triggerable wind slabs will likely build throughout the day on lee features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

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