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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 31st, 2024–Feb 1st, 2024

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

Regions

South Rockies, Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

We should see a gradual decrease in avalanche danger as cooling temperatures help to stabilize the snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The avalanche cycle observed on the weekend and earlier in the week with the warming event has tapered. There is no new avalanche activity to report.

Snowpack Summary

Rain has created a moist or wet upper snowpack at all elevations. A weak surface crust may have formed overnight but will break down quickly throughout the day.

There is a layer of sugary facets that are buried 30-50 cm deep and in some places sits on a crust.

The middle and lower snowpack contains a series of crusts and faceted snow. It is likely moist to ground. Expect snow depth at treeline to be 70 to 120 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with clear periods. Alpine wind southwest 20 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature 3 °C, freezing level 2800 m.

Thursday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 4 °C, freezing level 2500 m.

Friday

Mainly cloudy. Alpine wind southwest 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 1800 m.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Alpine wind northeast 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C, freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.