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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 17th, 2025–Jan 18th, 2025

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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

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

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.

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.