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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 7th, 2021–Jan 8th, 2021
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Clear weather revealed a few examples of fresh avalanche activity resulting from the winds and new snow over the last few days. Consider the potential for human triggering as  this new snow stabilizes.

Weather Forecast

A ridge became well established today with mainly clear skies, light winds and near -10 at treeline. Be aware of the potential for an alpine temperature inversion Friday as the ridge persists with little change into the weekend. Expect winds to pick up for Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm on Wed brings recent storm snow totals to 20-50 cm at treeline. This sits on a spotty stellar/surface hoar layer in some sheltered locations. Wind effect in open areas at treeline and in the alpine. Two weak layers from early Dec persist 50-100 cm down. These have been generally unreactive but still giving hard sudden planar results

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of  isolated wind slabs up to size 2, 5 to 30cm deep in the last 24- 48hrs resulting from cornice failures and wind-generated sluffs in steep alpine lee terrain. Several loose dry avalanches to size 1.5 were also observed during the  day in steep solar terrain. A few of these ran over yesterday's up-tracks in Chickadee slide paths. 

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds and recent snow have formed wind slabs in lee areas at treeline and in the alpine. We expect natural activity to slow down now that the winds have stopped but the potential for skier triggering may remain elevated in steep terrain.

  • Watch for signs of slab formation, such as whumpfing and shooting cracks.
  • Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A spotty layer of stellars and surface hoar 25-50 cm down has been reactive in steep terrain. Most likely an issue in steep terrain that was sheltered from previous winds.

2 weak layers from Dec persist and still produce hard sudden planar results

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a piece of terrain.
  • Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

The recent snow was failing naturally Thursday on solar terrain. This may persist Friday and may be influenced by a temperature inversion. This would be serious for skiers and climbers in confined features or terrain with associated terrain traps.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5