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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 15th, 2025–Jan 16th, 2025

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Mt. Bosworth avalanche closure zone is CLOSED on Thursday, January 16th.

High elevation winds have been strong to extreme for the last week, so be on the lookout for windslabs if venturing into high, windy spots.

Deep slabs haven't been observed in days, but a weak snowpack persists in shallow areas - ski the thick, avoid the thin.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

One size 1.5 windslab was reported today, 30-50 cm deep on Bow Peak, SE aspect, in the alpine. It looks like it occurred within the past 48 hrs, and was downslope from the ridge crest, perhaps a result of the strong winds loading lower on the lee slope. Otherwise, no new avalanches were reported in the past 2 days.

Snowpack Summary

Last week's 10cm accumulated snow and strong to extreme west winds created slabs in exposed high alpine areas. The recent snow rests on a layer of facets and surface hoar, although we haven't seen many avalanches sliding on this layer yet. The middle and bottom of the snowpack are weak, with depth hoar and facets near the ground. An average of 60-100cm of snow can be found at treeline elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday, we expect extreme SW winds accompanied by up to 5 cm new snow.

On Friday, we will see cooling temperatures and easing winds as arctic air moves in for the weekend.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.