Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 11th, 2023–Jan 12th, 2023

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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.

Although the hazard has decreased slightly, forecasters are still very concerned with the snowpack structure. The bottom half of the snowpack is very weak, and full-depth avalanches will remain a real concern for some time to come. Very conservative route selection is still in order.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new observed today.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has seen very little change in recent times. The mid-December surface hoar layer down 30cm at Treeline continues to react as a persistent slab with compression tests in the moderate range. Below this, the remainder of the snowpack is heavily facetted. Any avalanche triggered in the upper snowpack will almost certainly step down to the ground.

Despite a slight improvement in the hazard, forecasters are approaching all terrain conservatively and do not have much confidence in the snow pack, as it's one of the worst we've seen in many, many years.

Weather Summary

Thursday will be very windy with a mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop temperatures should reach -5C as a high. A trace amount of flurries are possible for Friday with rain at lower elevations.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer will be easier to trigger from thin, weak shallow areas. Wide propagations are possible.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

If triggered the persistent slab is very likely to steep down to the deeper instability and involve the entire winter's snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2