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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 1st, 2021–Jan 2nd, 2021

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

A juicy storm system will affect most of the forecast region, bringing snow and strong wind for the weekend.

Expect the avalanche hazard to rise throughout the day as the storm progresses.

Weather Forecast

Here we go! A storm system will track its way through the region starting Friday night through Sunday. Saturday will see snow accumulations of 10-20cm by the evening, strong to extreme winds from the SW and temps ranging from 0 to -8. By Sunday morning there is an additional 20-25cm forecasted accompanied by the continued strong to extreme winds.

Snowpack Summary

On Friday the surface snow was soft with isolated areas of wind effect in the alpine. The Dec 13 and Dec 7 sun crust/surface hoar/facet layers are down ~ 50cm and ~80 cm respectively and will be tested by the incoming snow load. The decomposing Nov crust/facets sits at the bottom of the snowpack. Height of snow at tree line is 120-180cm.

Avalanche Summary

As the storm intensifies Saturday and into Sunday, expect avalanche activity to increase. The additional snow load may wake up deeper layers, resulting in large avalanches.

No reports of natural or human triggered avalanches on Friday. Skier triggered sz 1.5 on Hector South area on Thursday.

Confidence

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.