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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 9th, 2021–Jan 10th, 2021
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
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.

Conditions are improving, but there are a number of weak layers in the snowpack that still make triggering larger avalanches possible at treeline and above.

Weather Forecast

Expect winds to increase to the strong range through out Sunday with cloudy conditions.

Moving into Monday winds will be similar, in the strong range with consistent cloud cover.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow totals are 20-50 cm at treeline. This sits on a spotty stellar/surface hoar layer in some locations. Wind effect in open areas in the alpine. Two weak layers from early Dec persist 50-100 cm down. These have been generally unreactive but still giving hard sudden planar results. The Nov. 5 basal crust/facets are currently dormant.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity today besides some sz 1 explosive triggered thin wind slabs in the alpine at the ski hills. One notable, size 2 skier remote on Mt. Hector South at treeline two days ago; this was likely on one of the mid December persistent layers. This shows that it is still possible to trigger in the right (or wrong) location.

Confidence

Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A spotty layer of stellars and surface hoar 25-50 cm down is most likely an issue in steep treeline terrain, but is present in some alpine locations. Two other layers from Dec persist and still produce hard sudden planar results.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a piece of terrain.
  • Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Previous winds have created slabs, however recent observations have only found them in specific alpine areas, and haven't been very reactive. Watch locally on your trip for slab formation. Some of these slabs will be buried under new snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2