Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2022 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 mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slabs could still be triggered at higher elevations.

Summary

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy with no precipitation, 20 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 50 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -9 C.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

A few small avalanches were triggered by riders near White Pass over the weekend (see here and here).

We appreciate all your observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of snow fell on the weekend, which has been redistributed into wind slabs in exposed terrain from strong southwest wind. These slabs overly previous hard wind affected snow. A very hard snow surface may be found where the recent snow has been stripped. In sheltered terrain, the 10 to 20 cm of snow may still be soft but has likely consolidated and hardened from recent warm air, particularly below around 1000 m.

The remainder of the snowpack has been reported as being hard but heavily faceted.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may still be found in steep terrain features from strong southwest wind.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2022 4:00PM