Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 27th, 2023–Jan 28th, 2023

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Much anticipated new snow will be arriving in our area and accompanied by strong northeast winds.

Wind-loaded features and terrain traps should be avoided.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in our region. This is expected to change with incoming weather.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

New snow falling Friday night and Saturday morning will be covering a snowpack surface that experiences above-freezing temperatures into the alpine on Thursday. Suspect that any snow that falls will be falling on a crust. Moderate to strong winds will be will be associated with this storm so expect to find wind slabs and pockets of storm snow deeper than expected. Just below the surface, lies another melt-freeze crust that can be found up to 2100 m.

The mid-pack continues to settle and is well consolidated. Facets exist near the base of the snowpack. Total snowpack depth ranges between 90 to 125 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy, up to 17 cm accumulation, wind northeast 20 km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures -10 C and falling throughout the night.

Saturday

Clearing, no accumulation, wind northeast 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures around -23 C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, possible trace accumulation, wind northeast 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperatures around -25 C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud, no accumulation, wind west southwest 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature climbing to around -15 to -20 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow arriving Friday will be redistributed by southwest then northeast winds. New wind slabs will be covering older wind slabs that can also be on a range of aspects. Suspect storm slab properties where the wind has had little affect on the new snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5