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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 15th, 2024–Feb 16th, 2024

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

Regions

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

We have changed persistent slab problem to a deep persistent problem and are using this to represent three weak layers that exist in the snowpack.

Great ski conditions exist, but don't get too rad. Stick to standard lines in thicker snowpack areas as we have a thinner than normal snowpack this year!

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 and 2.5 skier-triggered deep persistent slab in the Cirque Forepeak area occurred Tuesday showing that the deeper layers can still be triggered in thin snowpack areas.

No new avalanches reported on Thursday

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of snow sits over the Feb 3 crust which exists in most locations (except high north aspects). At lower elevations, this crust is stabilizing the snowpack, and at this time is not presenting as a weak layer of concern. This will change as wind, time or more snow create a slab above it. Persistent weak layers in the mid and bottom of the snowpack remain a concern and have recently produced avalanches on the ground, particularly in higher elevation thin snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

A ridge of high pressure will dominate the region for the next several days bringing mostly blue skies, temperatures from -10 to -20 and light NE winds. No new snow is expected.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Be especially cautious near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

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.

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.