Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 9 – 10, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Strong winds forecasted on Monday night/Tuesday morning will increase the likelihood of windslab development in the alpine and exposed treeline terrain. Pay attention for this change as you transition through the treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Strong forecasted winds on Monday night and Tues morning have potential to create fresh wind slabs in lee alpine and exposed treeline terrain.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow and some wind have created conditions for loose dry avalanches. These conditions will be especially prevalent in steep rocky terrain. Be mindful of terrain traps where small avalanches can create a big problem.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    In most areas the base of the snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar. Avalanche activity on this layer has been minimal but the consequenses of triggering it remain serious. Use caution in steep terrain or on planar slopes where failures in these basal facets are more likely to propagate.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry avalanches were observed out of steep alpine terrain on Monday. Sunshine Ski Resort reported ski cutting small windslabs from steeper terrain.

There was a skier accidental avalanche size 1.5 near the Lake Louise ski area on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

10-25cm of recent storm snow sits over a variety of surfaces (sun crusts, surface hoar, old wind slab) at treeline and above. Some sluffing and windslab development can be found in steep exposed terrain.

The mid pack is settled and mostly supportive. It contains several melt-freeze crusts which can be found as high as 2300m in southern areas. The base of the snowpack consists of a mix of weak facets and depth hoar.

Treeline snow depths range from 65-110 cm.

Weather Summary

Flurries are forecasted through Wednesday with total accumulations in the 10-15 cm range.Winds will start out strong (SW) on Tuesday and decrease in afternoon, becoming light-mod by Wednesday.Daytime highs on Tuesday will be around -10, but will start falling on Wednesday becoming very cold (-25-30) by Thursday.

For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.

Regions covered