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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 3rd, 2022–Jan 4th, 2022

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Forecasters are still uncertain about the Dec 2 crust layer and how/if it will react, especially in Kootenay. Dig down and test this layer locally before committing to a line. Ski quality is excellent in sheltered areas.

Weather Forecast

Only a few cm's of snow overnight accompanied by a drop in temperature once again. Expect valley temps in the -15 range and at the ridge closer to -20. Wind is forecasted to remain in the strong range from the SW but it will subside to light by midday tomorrow.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm storm snow in the last 2 days. The wind has eased however, wind slabs are present in lee areas of the alpine and some treeline locations. 50-70 cm over the Dec 2 crust/facet combo which exists below 2200 m. Shallow snowpack areas (<100cm) have weaker basal facets. Snowpack depths at treeline are from 120-160 cm.

Avalanche Summary

Both Sunshine and Lake Louise ski patrol reported ski cutting very small windslabs that might not even amount to a size 1. Otherwise no avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Monday

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.