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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 13th, 2024–Jan 14th, 2024

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 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.

Expect to find wind slabs in areas you typically don't see them. Cold weather is forecast to warm, but is still a concern. Review this blog for strategies to manage the cold.

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

Saturday Night

Clear, 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.

Tuesday

Mainly sunny, northwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °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.