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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 11th, 2024–Jan 12th, 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, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Northerly winds may be creating wind slabs on atypical slopes.

Extreme cold significantly increases the consequences of an incident in the backcountry.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few storm or wind slab avalanches, both naturally and explosive triggered, were reported since the weekend, up to size 2.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Northerly winds at all elevations continue to redistribute the new snow from earlier this week. This new snow has buried various pre-existing crusts, surface hoar, old wind-affected surfaces, or facets.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled with a series of crusts and facetted snow.

The height of snow at treeline is roughly 50 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear with no precipitation, northeast winds up to 30 km/h at all elevations, treeline temperature -37 °C.

Friday

Sunny with no precipitation, northeast winds up to 30 km/h at all elevations, treeline temperature -35 °C.

Saturday

Sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -30 °C.

Sunday

Sunny with no precipitation, north alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -30 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.