Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 26th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
SH,
Avalanche Canada
Recent weather conditions have led to slab development at all elevation bands. These slabs are likely to be found sitting on weak layers.
As freezing levels rise over the next few days, expect these slabs to become more sensitive to human triggering and to an increase in natural activity.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches, with good visibility, were observed on a flight from Banff to Lake Louise today. Sunshine saw a natural cornice failure outside the ski area that gouged to ground size 2. Avalanche control on Mount Stephen resulted in size 2 slab avalanches, including one over the ice climb Super Bok.
Bourgeau Left-hand ran sz 2.5 on Thursday with a crown though to be about 50cm deep.
Snowpack Summary
Hard and soft slabs have formed due to recent warming, strong winds, and small snow inputs. These slabs may overlie two weak layers: 1) Facets from the cold snap sit 10 to 30cm deep. 2) Surface hoar or a sun crust have been found in some areas below the facets 30 to 50cm deep.
The midpack offers some strength and features two crusts that persist as high as 2350m.
The lower part of the snowpack comprises weak facets and depth hoar.
Weather Summary
Saturday: Trace amounts of snow, SW winds 70kmh decreasing to 40kmh, and freezing levels to 2000m. Little recovery is expected overnight.
Sunday: There will be up to 5cm of snow (possibly rain at lower elevations), 50-70kmh winds from the west, and freezing levels to 2300.
Monday: Freezing levels to 2700m.
For more information, click here.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
- The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Soft and hard slabs have developed due to the recent warm temperatures, moderate to strong winds and small snow inputs. These slabs sit on facets that were produced during the cold snap in most areas and in some areas surface hoar and suncrusts have been found below these facets as well.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets, depth hoar, and the overlying crust in the midpack continues to break down. Use caution in steep terrain, large planar slopes, and thin to thick areas where initiating these slabs would be more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 27th, 2024 4:00PM
