Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 15th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Strong winds have built wind slabs in open areas at all elevations. Watch for signs of instability; shooting cracks, hollow sounds and recent avalanches as you move through the terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, two natural, size 2, wind slab avalanches were reported on northwest alpine features.
Observations in the area remain limited as cold temperatures continue to keep some operators and many users out of the backcountry.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Variable winds at all elevations have redistributed 30 to 70 cm of low-density snow into wind slabs in open areas. A melt freeze crust is found down 70 to 100 cm.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well bonded with a series of crusts and facetted snow.
The average snow depth at treeline is approximately 100 to 180 cm.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Partly cloudy with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, temperature inversion present with treeline temperature around -20 °C and valley bottom temperatures around -30 °C.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries in the evening, trace amounts of snow, westerly alpine wind 25 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries, 8 to 15 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.
Thursday
Mostly sunny with no new precipitation, north alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at and above treeline.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Variable winds are redistributing available snow into wind slabs in lee terrain features at all elevations. With an atypical loading pattern watch for wind slabs in areas where you typically don't often see them.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 16th, 2024 4:00PM
