Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada CG, Avalanche Canada

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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

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2024 4:00PM

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