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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2020–Jan 8th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The danger ratings are tightly coupled to snowfall amounts. The region can receive the forecasted 20cm and likely stay at considerable. However, if more snow than expected arrives the scales could tip to HIGH. Monitor local snow fall amounts.

Weather Forecast

Snowfall amounts on the latest models show 20cm by the end of day Thursday. The wind will peak tonight with gusts up to 80km/hr and then subside in to the moderate range, all coming from the West. The temperatures are expected to dive to the -20 on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of snow, and strong wind from last few days have formed wind and storm slabs. At tree line, new snow sits on pockets of surface hoar in sheltered areas and sun crust on steep solar aspects. Generally, the upper snowpack of denser snow sits over a weaker lower snowpack consisting of facets, depth hoar and crusts.

Avalanche Summary

Third hand report of member of the public triggering a size 2 in the sunshine backcountry. No injuries or lost equipment reported.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.