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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2024–Feb 27th, 2024

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

Regions

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

“Mt. Whymper avalanche closure zone is CLOSED on Tuesday, February, 27th. Recent loading from 35-55 cm of new snow and strong winds, and avalanche activity has the hazard elevated.

Natural avalanche activity should taper on Tuesday, but conditions will remain RIPE for human triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been plenty of reports over the past 24 hours of natural and skier and climber-triggered avalanches to size 3. This includes a partial burial of 2 people on Mt. Whymper's North side, Corral Creek 3, and today around the corner from Corral 3. Several avalanches are failing on the Feb 3 crust down 50-60 cm and some step down to weaker layers.

Snowpack Summary

35-55 cm of storm snow since Feb 21. The new snow and strong SW winds have formed widespread slabs at treeline and above, and storm slabs below treeline. 30-70 cm+ overlies the Feb 3 crust and facets, which is 0.5-15cm thick and exists up to 2500m (higher on solar aspects). In shallower snowpack areas, weak facet layers can be found in the mid and lower snowpack.

Weather Summary

Tuesday- trace amounts are forecasted with light winds increasing to moderate SW late in the day as another system moves into the region Tuesday night. Temperatures rise to -18C.

Wednesday - 5-10 cm with strong SW wind, highs of -6C

Thursday - generally 5-10 cm forecasted, but could be 15-20 cm in some locations with strong SW wind. Temperatures rise to around -7C at treeline

For more information, see AvCan's Mt Wx.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

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.

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.

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.