Clear skies could increase hazard on steep southerly slopes as the day progresses
Mt. Cathedral and Mt Stephen will be CLOSED on Thursday, January 15th. See banner above
30-60 cm new snow over the last few days with moderate westerly winds may have formed windslabs in exposed alpine and treeline areas. These have been less reactive than expected but could still surprise you.
Surface hoar buried January 3 sits 30–60 cm deep. Warming may help stiffen the overlying slab and increase reactivity where this layer exists. While not widespread, recent reports include small avalanches failing on this layer. Dig down and test for reactivity.
Basal facets remain near the ground. Red flags are fewer where the snowpack is deep, but on the eastern side of the forecast area, particularly in thin to thick snowpack transitions, the potential for deep slab avalanches remain.
Explosive and RACs avalanche control on Mt. Dennis, Mt. Stephen. Mt. Field and Mt. Bosworth today produced results up to size 2.5 and consistently produced size 2's. Two natural avalanches in thin alpine areas was observed on the flight to Banff. Ski hills reported windslab avalanches to size 2 with explosive control. Otherwise no other new avalanches observed or reported.
A crust has likely formed up to 2000m and higher on southerly slopes. Recent HST, up to 60cms has settled and overlies the January 3rd interface which in isolated places contains surface hoar. At ridgetop cornices and windslab may be found on lee aspects. 50-95 cm overlies the Dec 15 melt-freeze crust, present to 1800-2000 m, and 100-200 cm over the November facet/crust interfaces. In thinner snowpack areas, facets are present at the base
Wednesday night: Clear. Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 50 km/h.
Thursday: Sunny. Alpine temperature: High -5 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Friday: Sunny. Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -6 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
