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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 18th, 2025–Jan 19th, 2025

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

We’ve removed the deep persistent problem from the forecast region due to a lack of recent avalanche activity. The layer still exists in the snowpack (see snowpack summary) and could be reintroduced as a problem in the future.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Minimal natural avalanche activity was observed during a flight across the forecast region on Friday. Avalanche control Friday triggered very few slab avalanches, with no failures on the deep persistent problem. The majority of results were loose dry avalanches, which entrained the faceted snowpack and ran far down the paths.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong winds and new snow have formed wind slabs on lee slopes in the alpine and at treeline. At treeline, the mid-pack consists of facets over the October crust and depth hoar at the bottom. Snow depths at treeline range from 60-100 cm.

Weather Summary

An Arctic air mass has settled over the region, with forecasted low temperatures dropping to -25°C on Saturday night. Clear skies and light to moderate northerly winds are expected on Sunday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs 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.