Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 2nd, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Incremental snowfall over the last week has brought storm snow up to 25cm depending on the location and elevation. This snow has generally been un-affected by the wind but expect wind-slab if it has.
Ice climbers be mindful of loose dry avalanches out of steep terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Lake Louise ski patrol had two avalanches initiated with explosives up to size 1.5 on Jan 2nd. An estimated size 2 loose dry avalanche was reported off the Stanley Headwall.
Our team made a field trip to Cathedral Glades where they found an average snowpack depth of 75cm which was generally supportive to skis. They did not observe any new avalanches in the region.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 25cm of new low density snow has fallen over the last week with no wind.
This new snow overlies a 60-80 cm snowpack that is entirely faceted, with weak, facet/crust interfaces near the ground.
This situation is not expected to change in the short-term, unless the wind comes up, in which case windslabs will form rapidly.
Weather Summary
Tonight: Cloudy with clear periods. Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h. Trace precipitation.
Friday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Ridge wind southeast: 15 km/h.
Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -8 °C. Ridge wind west: 15-25 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack have caused avalanches 65-120 cm deep recently. A stiffer slab over the facetted snow can trigger larger avalanches that step down to the ground.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2025 4:00PM
