Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 24th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
BF,
Avalanche Canada
Recently formed soft and hard slabs overlie a touchy weak layer 10-40cm below the surface are becoming more reactive.
The snowpack is becoming increasingly more complex, this is not a time to be stepping out into complex terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Lake Louise ski hill had explosive results up to size 2 on the basal weakness out of the steep terrain.
Sluffing continues out of steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Surface level hard and soft slabs have formed due to recent warming and strong winds. These overlie touchy weak layers ~10cm and ~40cm below the surface that produce very easy sudden collapse results on compression tests.
The midpack offers some strength and features two crusts that persist as high as 2350m.
The lower part of the snowpack has weak facets and depth hoar and widespread whumphing has been observed in many locations over the last week.
Parks Jan 24th snow profile
Weather Summary
Wed night and Thurs: Scattered flurries across the Range. Trace accumulations. Moderate to strong SW ridgetop winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom.
Friday: Isolated flurries across the Range. Nil accumulations. Mod to strong westerly to SW ridgetop winds. Freezing levels rising to 1500-1800 m.
Sat/Sun: Scattered flurries, trace accumulations. Mod to strong SW winds. Freezing levels rising to 1800-2200 m
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Soft and hard slabs have developed due to the recent warm temperature and moderate to strong winds. Compression tests Jan 24th on this layer in the Sunshine area produced very easy results. Use caution in areas where this slab and weak layer are present.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets, depth hoar, and the overlying crust in the midpack continues to break down. Use caution in steep terrain, large planar slopes, and thin to thick areas where initiating these slabs would be more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 25th, 2024 4:00PM
