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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 25th, 2023–Jan 26th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Strong winds Thursday will create fresh windslabs at alpine and treeline locations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine and Lake Louise ski hill reported isolated, small skier controlled avalanches in wind loaded alpine terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

Recent moderate to strong winds have created windslabs in the alpine. Below this, the upper snowpack contains weak layers 10-30 cm deep (Jan. 4th) and 25-50 cm deep (Dec. 17th) that are generally unreactive. The Nov 16 deep persistent layer is down 40-90 cm and continues to produce sudden results in test profiles. In areas west of the divide, these layers are generally deeper and more spread apart in the snowpack.

Weather Summary

A NW flow will bring windy conditions with light flurries and warm temps on Thursday. Friday could see upwards of 10cm of snow and cooling temps as a NE flow arrives. Winds will taper and Saturday will be cold and slightly overcast.

Thurs: Alpine winds extreme from the NW. Alpine high temp ~ -4, low -8.

Fri: 5-10 cm of snow through the day. Alpine winds moderate to strong, switching to NE. Temperatures cooling to -15.

Sat: Cold and partially cloudy, daytime high of -25 in the alpine.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.