Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 21st, 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.

Our snowpack is very sensitive to warming these days. Approach any open area, at any elevation with caution. Low angle terrain is key right now.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new was seen today, but we've had more reports of cracking and whumphing at all elevations/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

Light to moderate SW winds tomorrow. Flurries giving a few cm's of snow and increasing temperatures. Daytime high of -2, but likely warmer as Mud Lake crept above the predicted high today.

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