Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2024–Jan 8th, 2024

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, 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

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

A mild upslope has helped to freshen up the skiing. Valley bottom travel is still challenging, but at least there are some turns to be had.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Lots of sluffing out of steep cliffs, but no real avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

The forecasted winds and wind shift didn't seem to materialize today. The area saw mostly light winds with almost no wind transport. The only exception would be at peak heights where there was some moderate wind transport. With settlement, we have an optimistic 12-15cm on top of the old surfaces at treeline and alpine. In many areas it feels (and skis) like there's more because of the facetted nature of the snow. There are likely soft windslabs in immediate lee areas that should be monitored. As for the crust? Still no significant change.

Weather Summary

No snow for tomorrow. Cooler temperatures for the area, -17 as a low. (In a few days time, we'll look back at -17 and think how warm that would feel.) Light winds will remain for the first half of the week with hopefully minimal wind transport.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

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.