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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 5th, 2024–Jan 6th, 2024

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

With recent snow and more on the way, be aware of extreme terrain and couloir/gully features whether you're skiing, boarding or ice climbing.

Small sluffs in big terrain can have serious consequences.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new natural activity.

Ski hills are reporting several size 1 avalanches, with explosives control, in wind loaded features of the alpine and treeline.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of recent snow can be found in wind loaded features of the alpine which tapers significant with elevation. This new snow sits on a variety of surfaces (sun crusts, surface hoar, wind slab) at treeline and above.

The mid-pack contains a rain crust which can be found as high as 2300m in southern areas.

The base of the snowpack consists of a mix of weak facets and depth hoar.

Treeline snow depths range from 60-100 cm.

Weather Summary

Snow is expected to arrive through the day Saturday, with 5-10cm expected. Winds are forecast to be strong at the start of the day on Saturday and taper off as the snow arrives in the afternoon. Friday's overnight low at treeline (2200m) is -15C and the daytime high on Saturday is -10C.

For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.