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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 15th, 2023–Jan 16th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Continue to practice good travel habits: regroup in safe locations, limit the number of people exposed to avalanche terrain, and be suspicious of shallow or rocky ridges and start zones.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Small wet loose avalanches were reported Friday with warming temperatures.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

High freezing levels over the weekend produced moist surface snow up to 2000 m, now a crust. Wind has stripped open and alpine terrain and there is little snow left for transport.

The mid-pack continues to settle and consolidate. Basal facets are found in the bottom 20-40 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low temperature below -6 C. Freezing level falling to valley bottom.

Monday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high temperature -5 C. Freezing level below 1100 m.

Tuesday

Sunny breaks. Light northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline high temperatures -6 C. Freezing level valley m.

Wednesday

Cloudy. Increasing ridgetop winds. Treeline high temperatures -4 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.