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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 16th, 2024–Jan 17th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Low-density storm snow will accumulate throughout the day. Use caution in leeward terrain features where wind-affected snow may be more cohesive and reactive to human triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, a few natural wind slab avalanches were reported up to size 2.5 in the Elkford area. These avalanches were likely triggered by northerly winds in the past 48 hours.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

New snow is accumulating over faceted surfaces and in open areas, wind-affected surfaces. Previously northerly winds had built wind slabs in leeward terrain at all elevations. At treeline and below is a weak layer of facets over a crust, down 40 to 80 cm. This layer was reactive to skier triggering primarily on east aspects between 1500 and 2000 m last week.

The mid and lower snowpack contains a series of crusts and facetted snow.

The height of snow at treeline is roughly 80 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 5 to 10 cm of snow, westerly alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 10 to 15 cm of snow, southwest switching to northeast alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny with no new precipitation, northeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -22 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Use appropriate sluff management techniques.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.