Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada DH, Avalanche Canada

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Allow the recent snow time to settle and bond before exposing yourself to larger, high consequence terrain features.

Continue to re-evaluate conditions as you gain elevation and transition into open terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Over the past week there have been several human triggered avalanches up to size 2, all on sun affected aspects failing on the sun crust buried in early January.

On Saturday a few small natural avalanches were observed from the steep terrain on Mt. Macdonald.

Snowpack Summary

30cms of recent storm snow overlies variable wind slabs/wind effect in open terrain, and settling facetted snow in sheltered areas below tree-line.

A sun crust, down 50cm (most prominent at tree-line) has been the failure plane for recent human triggered avalanches.

Below 2100m there is decomposing crust down 75cm (from Dec 5th/6th).

The Dec 1 surface hoar layer is down 110cm and is decomposing.

Weather Summary

Flurries and mild temperatures set the trend for this week with a fairly active flow but no significant snowfall or wind.

Mon: Flurries - 7cm, high -2°C, light S winds, freezing level (FZL) 1900m.

Tues: Flurries - 5cm, high -4°C, low -6°C, moderate SW winds, FZL 1500m.

Wed: Isolated flurries - trace of new snow, high -6°C, low -9°C, light SW winds, FZL 1200m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Caution around convexities or sharp changes in terrain.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Recent snow with variable wind has created a soft slab that will be most triggerable near ridgelines and on convex slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Be extra cautious on South through West aspects, as there is a sun-crust down 40-70cm that has been reactive to skier/rider traffic.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2024 4:00PM

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