Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 6th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for rocky start zones where the snowpack varies from thick to to thin. Weak layers are more easily triggered here.
Read the latest forecaster blog for more information on managing buried weak layers.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity has been reported in the region. However, there have been a number of recent reports of spooky snowpack test results.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 60 cm of surface snow is found in areas sheltered from the wind, which sits over a generally weak, facetted snowpack with multiple buried weak layers. Wind-exposed terrain has been affected from strong southerly winds, leaving firm surfaces Wind slabs may be found in lee terrain features, which may sit over a layer of surface hoar and/or crust.
Two layers of concern exist in this snowpack:
A layer of facets, crust and surface hoar that was buried around Christmas and found around 30 to 60 cm from the surface.
A layer of large, weak facets buried in November and found near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer is likely most problematic in alpine terrain, where shallower avalanches could scrub down to these basal facets. These layers may persist for some time, as described in our Forecasters' blog.
Snowpack depths are roughly 100 to 175 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Trace amounts of snow with moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels drop to 500 m overnight for much of the region. Remaining above 1000 m in the far east.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing levels 1100 m. Alpine high of -5 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light southeast wind. Alpine high of -6 °C. Freezing levels around 500 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light southerly wind. Alpine high of -6 °C. Freezing levels around 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak, facetted and contains multiple buried weak layers. A layer of facets surface hoar, and/or crust buried 30 to 60 cm deep continues to produce test results that indicate it could be triggered by riders. Avalanches may be larger than you expect due to the depth of buried weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind loaded terrain features from southerly winds. Back off slopes that sounds drummy and hollow. Avalanches triggered in wind-loaded terrain could step down to deeper weak layers, creating larger than expected avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 7th, 2023 4:00PM
