Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 23rd, 2020–Jan 24th, 2020
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
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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Forecasters confidence in the snow-pack is low. There is lots of good skiing but careful assessment of bigger slopes is still required. Natural avalanche activity has subsided, however human triggered avalanches are still possible.

Weather Forecast

Mixed sun and cloud for Friday with only light flurries along the divide. Freezing levels will rise to 1800 m on Friday and then return to surface for the weekend. Alpine winds will be in the moderate range out of the SW.

Snowpack Summary

Fresh wind slabs (up to size 1.5) can be found near ridge-tops. There is 40-60 cm above the Dec 31 layer of facets, surface hoar and sun crust which is slowly becoming less reactive. The bottom layer of the snow-pack consists of weak facets and depth hoar, except for deeper snow-pack areas which has a well settled lower pack.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches observed over the past few days. Explosive control Tuesday on highway 93 North produced varied results. Much of the control work produced smaller then expected results, though one large size 3.5 was triggered on the deep persistent problem.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs exist near ridge-tops.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

The late Dec layer of surface hoar, facets or sun crust is buried 40-60cm throughout the region and producing variable results depending on location and what crystal form is present. There is still high uncertainty as to how reactive this layer is.

  • If triggered the persistent slab may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

In the past week we have seen several avalanches initiate or step down to this deep persistent layer. Conservative terrain choice is your best defence.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5