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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 16th, 2021–Jan 17th, 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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Alpine winds remain elevated on Sunday so watch for some wind loading in steep overhead terrain and gullies. Good skiing can be found in areas sheltered from the wind and travel is easy. Enjoy!

Weather Forecast

A cloudy day on Sunday with alpine winds out of the West in the moderate to strong range with a couple cm's of new snow forecast for the day. Treeline temperatures should be fairly steady between -6 and -8 C with light winds at lower elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Wind effect in exposed alpine and treeline terrain. Thin sun crust on steep sheltered S aspects and a rain crust below 1500 m in eastern areas. Jan 11th interface down 15-30 cm with surface hoar found in isolated locations. Dec 25th, 13th and 7th layers are down 40-110 cm and generally produce hard or no results. Nov crust present near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 natural, 20-30 cm deep from the last 48 hrs on a very steep roll below treeline in Kootenay, possibly triggered by wind loading. Two natural cornice triggered size 2's in the alpine observed in Kootenay in the past 48 hrs. Ski hills reported a few small wind slabs in immediate lee areas and one size 2 on facets below recent storm snow.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are present in steep lee areas in the alpine and exposed treeline ridges. These are becoming more difficult to trigger but treat lee loaded areas with extra caution especially if entering large steep terrain features. 

  • Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Several persistent weak layers are present in the top meter of the snowpack. These are generally not reactive to skier traffic but we still get occasional reports of avalanches on one of the layers, usually on steep convex rolls or in thin areas.

  • Use caution on convex rolls at tree line and below where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2