Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 16th, 2025 8:30AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Mt. Bosworth avalanche closure zone is CLOSED on Thursday, January 16th.
High elevation winds have been strong to extreme for the last week, so be on the lookout for windslabs if venturing into high, windy spots.
Deep slabs haven't been observed in days, but a weak snowpack persists in shallow areas - ski the thick, avoid the thin.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
One size 1.5 windslab on an alpine SE aspect on Bow Peak. Thursday morning, size 2 wind triggered slab and loose dry avalanches were observed in Little Yoho on Mt. Stephen and Mount Field.
Snowpack Summary
Eventhough the alpine has been previously scoured by wind, Strong to extreme S-SW winds Wednesday night and Thursday created fresh wind slabs. Generally, at treeline, there is 10-20 cm soft surface snow in wind-sheltered areas overlying a mid-pack of weak facets, over the breaking down October crust and depth hoar at the bottom. An average of 60-100cm of snow can be found at treeline elevations.
Weather Summary
Thursday, we expect extreme SW winds accompanied by up to 5 cm new snow.
On Friday, we will see cooling temperatures and easing winds as arctic air moves in for the weekend.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong to extreme winds with light flurries creating fresh reactive windslabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Strong to extreme winds Thursday will trigger loose dry avalanches in steep terrain, including couloirs and ice-climbing areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak facets exist at the base of the snowpack. Although we haven't seen much avalanche activity on this layer in a while, the snowpack structure is weak and large open slopes at treeline and in the alpine remain suspect.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 17th, 2025 4:00PM
