Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 24th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
CG,
Avalanche Canada
Continued warming has helped create surface storm slabs which are failing naturally and from skier/rider traffic, especially at and below Tree-line.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A field team was able to ski cut a few convexities on solar aspects the last few days, producing up to sz 1.5 soft slabs running 30-40cm deep on the Jan 3 melt-freeze crust. These slabs were more reactive below Tree-line.
Several natural avalanches up to sz 2-2.5 from steep terrain were observed from Macdonald. Audible rumbles were heard from Cheops.
Near neighbours are also reporting human-triggering of a soft slab, ~30-50cm deep, on unsupported rolls/features.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temps and 30cm of settling storm snow are creating a soft storm slab on top of variable wind effect in open terrain at/above Tree-line, and faceted snow in sheltered areas below Tree-line.
A sun crust (Jan 3), down 50cm and most prominent at and below Tree-line on S-SW aspects, has been the failure plane for recent human triggered avalanches.
The Dec 1 surface hoar layer is down ~110cm and is decomposing.
Weather Summary
Flurries, mild temps, and light to moderate winds for the next few days. Freezing levels (FZL) remain above 1000m.
Tonight: Cloudy, flurries, trace snow, Alp low -6°C, light SW winds, 1300m FZL
Thurs: Flurries, 5cm, Alp high -6°C, mod SW winds, 1400m FZL
Fri: Sun/cloud, isolated flurries, trace snow, Alp high -6°C, moderate SW winds, 1400m FZL
Sat: Flurries, 5-10cm, Alp high -3°C, light S winds, 1600m FZL
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent snow, accompanied by variable wind and mild temps, has created a soft slab that is most reactive near ridgelines and on convex slopes at lower elevations. Above Tree-line these storm slabs are present in lee features and a bit more stubborn to initiate.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Be extra cautious on South through West aspects, where there is a sun-crust down 40-70cm that has been reactive to skier/rider traffic.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 25th, 2024 4:00PM
