Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2024 2:15PM

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

Avalanche Canada mkoppang, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for pocket of deep persistent slabs in Alpine terrain along ridgelines and in steep crossloaded features.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new observed in the last couple of days.

Snowpack Summary

There was a trace of a trace on Wednesday...

Strong winds have stripped all available snow and left hard slabs and scoured to ground where exposed. The early December rain crust is still present down about 30 cm but is starting to show signs of breaking down in valley bottom areas. Weak basal facets and depth hoar complete the lower snowpack. Overall conditions more closely resemble early November as opposed to Early January!

Weather Summary

Daytime highs around -6C with moderate winds out of the SW. There will be a trace of new snow over the next 24hrs!

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem will be with us all season. At higher elevations there is more concern that these deep persistent weak layers could be human triggerable.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2024 4:00PM