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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 25th, 2024–Feb 25th, 2024

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

Regions

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

The weather has changed and so has the hazard. Be mindful of increased wind loading.

The more snow we receive Sunday, the more the hazard will increase along with a higher likelihood of triggering the deeper weak layers.

Ice climbers watch for loose dry avalanches.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Numerous dry loose avalanches up to size 1.5 out of steep terrain have been reported over the last 24 hours from the Lake Louise and Field areas.

A group in Surprise Pass reported a size 1 wind slab at tree line and a group on Mt Whymper reported a skier accidental size 2 on the moraines.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong winds and new snow have resulted in widespread wind effect at ridgetop and below, creating windslab on lee aspects. In sheltered areas, 15-35 cm of predominantly new and old facetted snow overlies the Feb 3 crust on all but N aspects above 2500m. In shallower snowpack areas, weak facet layers can be found in the mid and lower snowpack. Thin snowpack values overall this year in this sub region with around 130 cm at 2000m.

Weather Summary

A low-pressure system will develop in the lee of the Rockies. This system will produce flurries accumulating 5-10 cm. Freezing levels 1600-1900 m. Strong to extreme southwest winds at ridgetop. Additional snowfall amounts of 4-8 cm will accumulate overnight into Monday morning.

Temperatures will cool and winds will abate Monday.

For more information see AvCan's Mt Wx

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

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.