Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Jan 18 – 19, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The snowpack is generally stable, it may be a good time to explore more complex terrain.

Continue to use normal caution and good travel habits

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    In isolated places where there was enough new snow for the strong wind to form into slabs, human triggering may be possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, west of Pincher Creek, several small solar-triggered wet loose avalanches were reported on steep sunny slopes.

Looking toward the weekend, we expect both natural and human-triggered avalanches to remain unlikely.

Reports have been limited in this area. If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Around 5 cm of snow from overnight Thursday is covering a variety of surfaces. Previous strong to extreme winds scoured windward areas, and formed sastrugi and pockets of thin, hard wind slab on leeward slopes. On slopes facing the sun, these slabs may be covering a sun crust. In sheltered areas, you may find a few centimeters of soft snow covering facets or surface hoar.

The lower snowpack has no current layers of concern. Treeline snowpack depths range from 50 to 150 cm, depending on wind affect.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
  • Periods of low danger may be a good time to increase your exposure.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.

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