Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2024–Jan 13th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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.

Wind slabs are the main concern. With northerly wind, expect to find them in areas you typically don't see them. Stay warm if you venture out, It's gong to be another cold one.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few natural and skier controlled storm and wind slab avalanches size 1-1.5 have been reported in the past few days.

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

Snowpack Summary

Northerly winds at all elevations continue to redistribute the new snow from earlier this week. This new snow has buried various pre-existing crusts, surface hoar, old wind-affected surfaces, or facets.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled with a series of crusts and facetted snow.

The height of snow at treeline is roughly 50 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mainly clear, northwest alpine wind 15-30 km/h, treeline temperature -38 °C.

Saturday

Mainly sunny, northwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -29 °C.

Sunday

Mainly sunny, northwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -25 °C.

Monday

Mainly sunny, northwest and northeast alpine winds 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.