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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 21st, 2024–Jan 22nd, 2024

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

Regions

East Kakwa, Tumbler.

Wind slabs may be found on all aspects in the alpine, use extra caution around steep and convex slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday in the Bullmoose area; small windslabs of varying ages (some fresh and some old and hard) were reported. See photos here.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

10 cm of snow fell on Friday resulting in a total of 20-30 cm of recent soft snow on the surface. In places it is heavily wind affected and sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including wind-scoured snow and faceted snow. At treeline and below, the recent snow sits on a widespread crust and pockets of surface hoar.

The snowpack is shallow and faceted with multiple crusts. Pockets of deeper snow may be found near ridges, gully features, and established avalanche paths. Average snowpack depths at treeline are between 60 and 100 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, south alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud, southwest alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud, southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud, southwest alpine wind 30-60 km/h, treeline temperature 1 °C, with an above freezing layer from 900-1500 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.

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.