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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 2nd, 2017–Jan 3rd, 2017
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
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: Little Yoho.

Skiing in the deeper snowpack areas is very good right now but watch for a weak faceted mid pack in thinner snow pack areas. Ice climbers should be cautious on the approaches to the Mt Stephen climbs where a slab may sit over this weakness.

Weather Forecast

An arctic ridge of high pressure has arrived and will dominate for the next few days. Dress warm!! Lows of -25 are expected with daytime highs reaching -18 under clear skies with light winds from the north. It looks like the temperatures will start to moderate and rise slowly by Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

The storm snow from last week has settled and tops a 100-150 cm snowpack at tree line. In areas with a thinner snowpack the mid pack facets exist and are quite weak. In these areas the main issue is wind slabs forming a cohesive slab over the facets with potential for larger propagations. Thicker snowpack areas have few weaknesses in the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Two size 2-2.5 natural avalanches in the Corral 1 and 2 paths, and a size 2 natural on Ptarmigan Peak observed Monday outside the Lake Louise ski resort. A recent size 2.5 avalanche was observed on the N side of Mt Burgess as well as a couple smaller slides on the SW aspect of Wapta Peak. All appear to be failing on the weak mid pack facets.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Pay close attention to the texture of the snow surface as you are traveling, and watch out for dense, wind drifted snow which could indicate the presence of a wind slab. Areas near ridge crests or sides of gullies are obvious places to find these.

  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

In areas with less than 150cm of snow the weak mid pack facets from early December remain. This is a concern wherever a cohesive slab of recent snow sits on top of this weakness. Wind loaded areas are the primary concern. See Monday's profile here.

  • Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3