Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 9th, 2020 5:03PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Brian Webster,
Parks Canada
Problems within the snowpack are complex and likely will persist for some time. There is great skiing, but now is the time for conservative decision making.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A frontal system from BC will push into Alberta on Friday bringing light snow along the Divide (5-10 cm). Temperatures will remain cool with day time highs only rising to -11 in Lake Louise. On Sunday a ridge of cold arctic air will descend bringing a significantly colder air mass to the area.
Snowpack Summary
30-50 cm of storm snow since Jan 1 sits over a variety of surfaces including facets and surface hoar. Field tests throughout the region show easy to moderate results on this interface. Reactive wind slabs exist in alpine and some treeline locations. In most areas there is a well settled mid and lower pack. Shallow regions have a weak lower layer.
Avalanche Summary
Field trip to Bow Summit showed evidence of a wide-spread cycle up to size 3 on all aspects tree-line and above from past 48-72 hours. A size 3 natural on Thursday was observed on the east face of Bow Peak. There were also reports of large naturals in the Sunshine area (above Bourgeau Right ice climb) and on Mt Rundle.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
This layer exists down 40-60 cm throughout the region and is producing easy to moderate results with stability tests. Several skier triggered avalanches have occurred recently on this layer.
- Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow and mod to strong winds have created storm and wind slabs in alpine and treeline elevations. It will take several days for these instabilities to settle out.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The potential for deeper releases on the basal layers still exist particularly in areas with a shallower snowpack. Several large avalanches have occurred on this layer in past 48 hours. Click on Forecast Details tab for more information.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 10th, 2020 4:00PM
