Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 20th, 2024–Jan 22nd, 2024

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

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: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

UPDATED Sunday morning: Warmer then forecasted temperatures yesterday caused a spike in hazard. This will likely happen today too. Bulletin update reflects this anticipated change.

Cracking and whumpfing over the past few days indicates that the recently formed windslabs are able to be triggered by skiers/boarders. Keep an eye out for these problems as you transition into more treeline/Alpine areas.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A few new windslabs up to sz 2 were observed initiating from steep alpine terrain on N and E aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Warmer temps promoted settlement in the upper snowpack on Saturday. Windslabs 10-30cm thick are still common places along lee features (E and N aspects) in the alpine and treeline with cracking and whumpfing observed by forecasters while travelling in high treeline and alpine areas common. The windslabs are failing on weak facetted grains that formed during last weeks cold snow. Deeper in the snowpack the Dec 5th crust persists and has been making travel easier. In thinner areas, triggering the weak crystals under the crust is a real possibility so avoid steep thin and variable features in the terrain.

Weather Summary

Winds are forecast to become more light to moderate out of the SW on Sunday with trace amounts of new snow throughout the day. Temperatures will be around -3 during the middle part of the day so slightly cooler than Saturdays temps.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong winds have formed windslabs in Alpine and treeline areas,

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer is getting getting buried deeper and deeper over time. The weight and amount of new snow is slowly increasing, which will increase the size of any potential avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3