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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 28th, 2022–Jan 29th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The danger remains Moderate due to uncertainty around the deeper facets, especially in Kootenay. It is very difficult to estimate whether a slope will avalanche with these types of layers. Your terrain choices will be the best risk management.

Weather Forecast

For Saturday and Sunday, temperatures will range from -10C to -3C and winds will remain strong from the West.  No snow is expected until Sunday night when an Arctic cold front moves down the Rockies dropping temperatures as we head into next week.

Snowpack Summary

Wind effect and wind slabs in the alpine and exposed tree-line areas and suncrust on steep south facing terrain. In sheltered areas, 20-40 cm of soft snow overlies facets and a (Dec 2) crust/facet interface generally 60-100cm deep. This layer continues to produce sudden test results in Kootenay Park.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new reported on Thursday/Friday. A size 2 natural avalanche was reported Wednesday above the ice climb Bourgeau Left. It did not run over the climb and dug down to deeper facets in some areas.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent winds have created windslabs in the alpine and some treeline locations. Older wind slabs are likely losing some reactivity, but may be more reactive where they overly facets.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This problem represents both the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and the late December facet layer. Lots of variation in the sensitivity ranging from reactive sudden collapse to no results depending on location, aspect and elevation.

  • Forecasters are operating with alot of uncertainty at this time.
  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3