Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
While the hazard rating is Moderate, our uncertainty levels remain high for any steep slopes due to the variability of test results and the potential for propagations on the Feb 10th layer. Enjoy the new snow but approach steep terrain with caution.
Weather Forecast
The next two days will bring flurries with accumulations of 5-10cm each day. Temperatures range from -14'C to -7'C in the alpine with moderate to strong Westerly winds. Wednesday brings cooler temperatures and clearing skies.
Snowpack Summary
A few cm's of new snow over the previous sun crust and wind slabs. 25-45cm of snow sits on top of the Feb10th layer comprised of facets, surface hoar, and on solar aspects a sun crust. Test results are generally in the moderate to hard range but still show that propagations are likely in many areas. No shears found in the basal layers.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported or observed today.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.
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.