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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 2nd, 2024–Jan 3rd, 2024

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

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

It's a great time to get up high in the backcountry.

Remember to practice good travel habits, watch for signs of instability, and assess for wind loading as you go.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Monday there was one size 1.5 natural wind slab avalanche from a steep headwall near Fernie.

Snowpack Summary

A small amount of new snow sits over variable layers including crusts on solar aspects, old faceting wind slabs, and well-settled powder.

The upper snowpack contains a couple of thick, hard crusts buried 10 to 20 cm and 30 to 70 cm deep. Below, the midpack is well settled.

The average snow depth at treeline varies widely from 50 to 130 cm, with the deepest snowpack around the Fernie area. Snow depth tapers rapidly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, no precipitation, southwest alpine wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy, no precipitation, west alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, 1 cm of snow, west alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud, 5 cm of snow, west alpine wind 10 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

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.