Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 2nd, 2024–Jan 3rd, 2024

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

The treeline danger rating has been reduced to 'low', however, the basal snowpack remains untrustworthy. It is still possible to trigger this layer in steep rocky terrain. Avoid thin spots especially.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a group of two on Observation Peak triggered and got caught by, a sz 2 slab that scrubbed the track to the ground.

Minimal explosive results from steep rocky terrain were reported by the Lake Louise ski patrol today.

Snowpack Summary

Trace amounts of snow bury surface hoar below treeline and sun crusts on steep solar slopes treeline and above. Wind effect and old, hard-slab are found TL and above. A temperature crust from just before Christmas is now buried 10-20 cm below 1900m.

The mid-pack contains a rain crust which can be found as high as 2300m in southern areas.

The basal third of the snowpack consists of a mix of weak facets and depth hoar.

Treeline snow depths range from 60-100 cm.

Weather Summary

A trace of new snow is expected on Wednesday. Temperatures will remain relatively constant at close to zero in the valley and -10 at the ridgeline. Colder temperatures are forecasted for late in the week. Wind will be light to moderate from the SW.

For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
Use caution when approaching steep and rocky terrian.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.