Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 20th, 2025–Jan 21st, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Conditions remain mostly unchanged and the snowpack is static due to an absence of inputs and cold temperatures. The exception is some active reloading in specific areas, where small but freshly formed windslabs can be triggered. Watch and feel for isolated pockets of windslab that might catch you by surprise.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine Village ski patrol reported numerous (ten) size 1 ski cut windslabs in Delerium Dive, propagating up to 25 m wide as a result of active reloading. Otherwise, no reports or observations of new avalanches today.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs were forming today from downflow winds on lee slopes in the alpine and at treeline. At treeline, the mid-pack consists of facets over the October crust and depth hoar at the bottom. Snow depths at treeline range from 60-100 cm.

Weather Summary

A ridge of high pressure is established over the region with cold air from the north keeping temperatures low. On Tuesday, a weak system will cross through, giving some overcast skies, light flurries and wind, but nothing significant before the ridge establishes itself again and clear skies return for Wednesday. Temperatures on Tuesday should reach a high of -8 in the valley bottom, so still cool.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.