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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 11th, 2024–Feb 11th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
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.

The avalanche hazard has increased slightly with winds creating new wind slabs and sluffing in steep alpine terrain features. Some weaknesses persist in the mid and lower snowpack and while reactivity of the lower layers has been limited, avalanches are still possible. Keep this in mind if entering steep committing terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Some natural sluffing up to size 1 in steep alpine terrain was observed on Saturday and a few small wind slabs up to size 1.5. One size 3 natural was observed in the Egypt Lake area in extreme terrain that was likely triggered by wind loading and stepped down to the deeper layers.

Ski cutting and explosive work produced new wind slab avalanches up to size 2 at local ski areas. Explosive work at Sunshine on Friday triggered one size 2 on the persistent mid-pack facets.

Snowpack Summary

Small wind slabs forming in lee areas of the alpine with increased West winds and some sluffing in steep terrain. 10-25 cm of recent storm snow sits over the Feb 3 crust that is present on all aspects except north above 2500 m. This crust ranges from 1-15 cm thick, with the thickest found in Yoho. Mid-pack weak layers from Jan and Dec are down roughly 30 and 50 cm respectively. Facets and depth hoar make up the basal layers of the snowpack in most locations.

Weather Summary

Another Pacific System will track across the Rockies on Sunday. 2 to 4 cm of snow is anticipated. Ridgetop winds will generally be from the west and moderate to strong overnight, easing to light to moderate during the day and picking up again in the evening. Treeline temperatures will range from -5 to -10°C.

For more mountain weather, click HERE.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.

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.

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.