Avalanche forecast

Dogtooth

Jan 2 – 3, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Uncertainty around buried weak layers is best managed through conservative terrain choices. Check out this blog post for some insight into the current shallow yet complex snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    A layer of surface hoar is buried 20-50 cm deep. If triggered, avalanches on this layer could step down to deeper weak layers.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    A layer of weak facets near the ground may be reactive to human triggering, especially in shallow, rocky areas in alpine terrain where the layer is not capped by a crust.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a skier was uninjured after accidentally triggering a size 2 deep persistent slab on basal facets over a smooth rock slab.

Ongoing explosive control work in recent days has consistently produced deep persistent slab avalanches size 1.5-2.

Snowpack Summary

A skiff of new snow rests on old surfaces including surface hoar, facets and crusts. Beneath lies a complex snowpack with several layers on our radar.

The most prominent is a layer of surface hoar buried 20-50 cm deep. It is less of a concern in areas where a strong, supportive crust exists above the surface hoar layer.

The mid and lower snowpack are typically characterized by sugary, facetted crystals and a basal crust.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 50-130 cm.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Partly cloudy, ridgetop wind 15 km/h southeast, treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop wind 15 km/h south, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy, ridgetop wind <10 km/h south, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop wind <10 km/h south, treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Confidence

Moderate

Regions covered