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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 26th, 2019–Jan 27th, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Strong winds are expected Sunday morning. Give overhead avalanche terrain a wide berth until winds settle back down later in day.

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels Saturday reached 2300m with moderate West winds. Overnight, alpine winds are forecast to increase to strong to extreme as a cold front passes bringing some precip and a cooling trend  begins. Midday Sunday should bring and end to the winds as temperatures drop further. Clearing overnight into Monday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of snow over the last week over isolated suncrusts and surface hoar. Widespread wind effect in the alpine creeping into treeline with current winds. Of greatest concern are the weak facets and depth hoar at the base of the snowpack. In thinner snowpack areas with less than 150 cm of snow, triggering a slab on these facets is more likely.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Confidence

Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The weak Oct.26 facets and depth hoar at the base of the snowpack have a significant slab (50-130cm thick) sitting above them. The likelihood of triggering this layer has decreased, but if it does get triggered, the avalanche will be large in size.
Avoid thin, rocky or unsupported slopes.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Thin wind slabs are currently stubborn and a bit old however with strong winds in the forecast, the potential for these, or cornice features to fail will remain for Sunday. 
If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from wind.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5