Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 31st, 2025–Feb 3rd, 2025

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

5-10cm of snow is falling at treeline and above with strong westerly winds. Watch for new windlabs building over the next 24hours.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Forecasters were able to ski cut a few smaller sz 1 avalanches in wind affected terrain at treeline on East aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Some new snow fell on Friday (6-10cm) with associated moderate westerly winds. This new snow fell on a variety of different snow surfaces from Isolated surface hoar, suncrust on steep solar or a previous hard wind affected surface.

The moderate wind were creating thin new reactive windslabs that were failing at the Jan 30th interface down 10-20cm at treeline. These slabs do not extend far downslope as of this afternoon, but more snow is forecast with continued winds so we can expect this problem to continue to develop overnight and into the weekend.

Valley floor elevations still look somewhat thin as the new snow that fell rapidly decreased in amounts as you dropped in elevation.

The big change is in your mindset. We are leaving the green brick, so step back, and evaluate the changing avalanche danger.

Weather Summary

See table. More snow is forecast overnight with increasing winds on Saturday. Temperatures will continue to drop for Sunday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.

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.