Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
DH,
Avalanche Canada
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
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
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
