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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 5th, 2024–Jan 6th, 2024
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
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

Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crawford, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, Moyie, South Rockies, St. Mary.

Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day with snow and wind.

Take a big step back to low-angle terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several small (size 1 to 1.5) dry loose avalanches were triggered in the Lizard Range on Friday.

Wednesday: Near Fernie, two large (size 2) avalanches were triggered with explosives at 2100 m. These failed on buried surface hoar 30 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

Expecting up to 15 cm of new snow sitting over crusts on solar aspects, surface hoar, wind-affected snow, and facets.

The snowpack contains a couple of thick, hard crusts buried 10 to 20 cm and 30 to 70 cm deep. In most areas, the snowpack has no weak layers below. Except for one location in the Lizard Range, where the crust disappears around treeline and a layer of surface hoar was found. This layer hasn't been found elsewhere in the Lizard Range.

The snow depth at treeline is 50 to 150 cm, with the deepest snowpack near Fernie. Snow depth decreases rapidly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 35 to 55 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 15 to 35 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, alpine wind calm to 15 km/h from various directions, treeline temperature -13 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with a dusting of snow, west alpine wind 35 km/h, treeline temperature -13 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

The deeper the new snow, the more reactive the storm slab problem is expected to be. Watch for shooting cracks as they indicate triggering an avalanche is likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2