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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 11th, 2025–Jan 12th, 2025

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

South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Strong winds may have created wind slabs in unexpected areas, potentially lower on the slope.

Assess for wind slab before committing to steep lines.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday a size 2.5 avalanche was triggered using explosives. No other avalanches have been reported in the region since Tuesday.

If you are headed into the backcountry please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing westerly wind has heavily impacted the snowpack . Westerly slopes are scoured and isolated wind slabs could exist on leeward aspects in the alpine and treeline. These slabs could overlie facets. The wind affect is most extensive on the east side of the Continental Divide.

At treeline and below a layer of facets over a crust, from early December, can be found down 40 to 70 cm.

The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.

Treeline snowpack depth varies significantly across the region, from 50 to 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mix of cloud and clear sky with trace amounts of snow possible. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow possible. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

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.