Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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Be careful in steep alpine terrain where wind slab avalanches could be triggered.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, our field team observed a few large (size 2) natural wind slabs avalanches in north and east facing alpine gullies. These likely occurred during the last weekend's storm.

Snowpack Summary

Observations from Wednesday suggest 30 to 40 cm of low density snow can still be found in wind sheltered terrain, while exposed alpine terrain has been impacted by southerly winds. Recent snow is well bonded to underlying layers, with the possible exception of steep wind-loaded slopes. Snow depths at White Pass are around 100 cm in sheltered areas and closer to 200 cm on wind-loaded slopes.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Partly cloudy with some isolated flurries bringing trace amounts of snow, 30 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures drop to -10 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 20 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures around -10 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow in the afternoon, 30 to 40 km/h wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures around -8 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with periods of snow bringing 5 to 10 cm of snow, 50 to 70 km/h wind from the south, treeline temperatures around -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be lingering in alpine terrain and along ridgetops. Fresh slabs could form this week if the wind picks up.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2023 4:00PM

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