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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 17th, 2022–Jan 18th, 2022
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
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Areas closed for avalanche control on Thursday are Mt Dennis, Mt. Field and Mt. Stephen. Mt. Cathedral highway paths will also be controlled. No recreational activities in these areas on Thursday.

Weather Forecast

Snow should taper tonight as a cold front passes dropping the temperatures overnight and through Tuesday by about 10 degrees. Winds should ease and skies will clear with a mix of sun an cloud tomorrow and clearer for Wednesday. Another, small system will cross the region Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds over the last few days has created widespread windslabs in the alpine and in some treeline areas. These overlie facets in many places, producing moderate to hard test results. The Dec. 2 crust and facets are generally 60-90cm deep in the snowpack. Some thin snowpack areas have lingering basal depth hoar and facets.

Avalanche Summary

This past week, 2 significant skier triggered avalanches occurred on the Dec 2 persistent layer. Only thin windslabs reported by the skihills with explosive control. Otherwise, no new avalanches were observed or reported on Sunday/Monday.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and wind on today added to the previous windslabs in alpine and treeline terrain. In some areas, these have been enough to initiate deeper layers in the snowpack once triggered.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

This problem represents both the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and layers of faceted snow that were formed during the late December cold snap (all elevations). If triggered, either layer will result in large avalanches.

  • Forecasters are operating with alot of uncertainty at this time.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3