Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 5th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada SH, Avalanche Canada

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Natural avalanches are tapering off, but human triggering is still a real possibility. If you choose to go into bigger terrain and trigger an avalanche it will likely involve the whole feature.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise got a couple of avalanches up to size 2 with explosives today, with one possibly stepping down to the deeper facets. No other avalanches were reported.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of soft surface snow over a generally weak midpack. There are two persistent layers (Dec. 17 layer 25-60cm down, and a deeper layer of facets, depth hoar, and/or crust near the ground) that show variable results with snowpack tests.

Weather Summary

On Friday, scattered flurries and cloudy skies will occur near the continental divide. Strong SW winds of 50-60km/h will diminish to 30-40 km/h over the day, and freezing levels will remain at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom of the snowpack is very weak and faceted. Natural avalanche activity has lessened, but forecasters are still concerned about skier-triggered avalanches stepping down to this layer. Below treeline is mainly facets without a slab above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Slabs 25-60cm thick sit over a Dec. 17 weak layer of facets that was on the surface during the prolonged deep freeze. Activity has slowed on this layer but once initiated could step down to deeper facet layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 6th, 2023 4:00PM