Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
Look for wind slabs on a variety of aspects as the wind switches direction on Friday.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There have been several reports of natural and skier controlled storm slab and dry loose avalanches size 1-1.5 on Thursday and Friday.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of new snow has likely covered weak, faceted now in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas at all elevations.
A layer of surface hoar is found down 70 cm in sheltered, north-facing terrain. This layer appears as a sun crust on south-facing slopes. As temperatures slowly warm this layer may become reactive to human triggering.
A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly clear. No new snow expected. Light east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -14 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 2-4 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C.
SaturdayMainly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.
SundayMainly cloudy. 2-4 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Problems
Wind Slabs
10-20 cm of recent new snow and winds switching direction are promoting fresh wind slab development over previously wind affected surfaces and in some places weak facetted snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 19th, 2024 4:00PM
