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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 27th, 2023–Jan 28th, 2023

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

Regions

Kakwa, Tumbler.

There is a lot of uncertainty with the reactivity of deeply buried weak layers. Conditions like this are best managed by sticking to lower-angle terrain away from any overhead hazard.

Read more in our latest forecaster blog.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in the past few days in the region, however observations are limited.

Looking forward, wind slabs will continue to form but concern for step-down and large natural and human-triggered deep persistent slab avalanches is at the forefront of our minds. Check out this video on incremental loading to learn more.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Strong west and northwest winds will continue to affect wind-exposed terrain and build fresh wind slabs in lee areas. Previous warm temperatures and precipitation have left a crust at lower treeline elevations and on steep solar aspects.

Snowpack depths are shallower than average, and several buried weak layers have been a concern over the past few weeks. Surface hoar or crust layers in the mid-snowpack may exist in this region.

The most concerning layer in this area is at the base of the snowpack. Large, weak facets buried in November are widespread. This layer is most likely problematic in steep, rocky alpine terrain, where shallower wind slab avalanches can scrub down to these basal facets.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. Ridge wind northeast 20-30 km/hr. Alpine temperature -18 C. Artic air bringing cold temperatures and northerly outflow winds.

Saturday

Increasingly Sunny. Ridge wind north 15-30 km/hr. Alpine temperature -20 C.

Sunday

Sunny. Ridge wind northwest 15-30 km/hr. Alpine temperature -20 C.

Monday

Mainly sunny. Ridge wind northeast 20-40 km/hr. Alpine temperature -20 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected 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.

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.