Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada GL, Avalanche Canada

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Potential for small avalanches in the wind slab to step down to the Deep Persistent Weak Layers.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol occurred at Maligne on Sunday. No new avalanches were observed by the field team in Maligne on Friday.

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Snowpack Summary

Maligne valley received a trace of snow and overall remains unsupportive with less depth than the Icefields. There is a crust below 1800m. A layer of surface hoar and facets is down 20-40cm in sheltered areas. Large facets and depth hoar comprise the bottom portion of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday is expected to be cloudy and flurries, -7 °C, and light Southwest winds. Tuesday will be very similar. Wednesday will have more sun and -10 °C. Thursday will be a mix of sun and cloud, -5 °C, and light winds. There maybe a temperature inversion.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Avalanches initiating in the upper snowpack are likely to step down to this layer and gain significant mass.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2023 4:00PM