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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 5th, 2022–Jan 6th, 2022

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 possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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 storm starting Thursday will likely increase the avalanche danger over the next few days.

Weather Forecast

A storm system is on the way starting Thursday. Expect increasing winds over the day in the alpine from the W/SW, and 5-10cm by the end of the day. -20C in the AM and warming slightly to -15C in the afternoon at treeline. Another 10cm, moderate to strong West winds and temperatures between -5C and -10C expected on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm storm snow in the last few days. Previous wind slabs have been observed sitting over facets 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

There was a small wind slab triggered on Ochre Spring creek yesterday at treeline. This slab was overlying facets from last weeks cold snap. No other avalanches reported or observed.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday

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.