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 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

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

It's COLD!

If you choose to go out, think carefully about the consequences of an accident or equipment failure that could prevent you from moving to stay warm.

Bring extra clothing, and extra equipment (like a sleeping bag and stove), choose low-commitment terrain, and leave yourself extra time to get back to the car well before dark.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanches 48-72 hours old in Kootenay and Highway 93N were seen Saturday. These were up to size 2.5 on multiple aspects, and some are suspected of sliding on Dec 31 surface hoar, with some stepping down in the alpine to deeper layers. Most were 30-40cm deep, with a few up to ~80cm which stepped down. These were observed from far away.

Snowpack Summary

Some wind effect in open areas from variable winds as the cold air arrived. 20-40 cm of recent snow over the Dec 31 layer that is comprised of surface hoar in sheltered areas, and a spotty sun crust on steep solar slopes at treeline and above.

The mid-pack is supportive and contains two temperature/rain crusts from Dec 22nd and Dec 5th that reach as high as 2300 m.

The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar in most areas.

Treeline snow depths range from 80-130 cm.

Weather Summary

Cold temperatures will remain for the next few days with overnight lows of -35 to -40C and highs of -25 to -30C with mainly light N/NW winds, clear, and no snow.

Tuesday may be slightly warmer, with afternoon temperatures a balmy -20C. There may also be a trace of new snow.

For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • If triggered, storm slabs in-motion may step down to deeper layers and result in very large avalanches.

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.

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.