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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 30th, 2021–Jan 31st, 2021
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

There is uncertainty in the amount of snow and wind in the forecast over the next three days. Do not be surprised if there is more snow than anticipated at the local level.

Weather Forecast

Snow fall is expected to start midday on Sunday. It will snow lightly but continuously through until late on Tuesday, producing roughly 35cm. It is going to be fairly windy throughout this period with strong SW winds. Relatively mild temperatures will persist through the period as well.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of storm snow with the most in the southern areas. The storm snow sits over facets in sheltered areas and over previous wind effect in exposed alpine and tree line areas. The mid-pack is well settled with the various persistent weak layers visible in the snowpack but unreactive to stability tests. The Nov crust/facets are near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

Forecasters were able to ski cut very soft slabs 15cm deep which ran fairly far. This occurred in a steeper start zone down 93S. Additionally, small loose dry avalanches could easily be triggered on any steep roll or feature. Neither the soft slabs or the loose dry avalanches had much volume.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

10 to 30 cm of storm snow is sitting on a facetted interface and is sluffing easily in steep terrain. This problem is most pronounced in confined gullies and couloirs and the hazard will increase as the winds increase on Saturday.

  • On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
  • Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Increasing wind on Saturday afternoon will be redistributed forming wind slabs in lee areas of the alpine. This problem will increase with more snow and wind over the following couple of days.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2