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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 27th, 2020–Feb 28th, 2020
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Great skiing continues in sheltered areas. Watch for new wind slabs in lee areas and stay curious about snowpack depths as thinner areas will likely have more pronounced basal facets and a weaker base.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures remain fairly warm on Friday with treeline staying around -5'C near the divide but getting warmer on the eastern slopes. Winds will remain in the moderate range out of the SW. We will see continued flurries with a couple cm's of new snow during the day and more intense flurries starting in the evening.

Snowpack Summary

Wind effect in the alpine due to gusty SW winds. New wind slabs in lee areas. 10-20 cm of recent snow over buried sun crust on steep solar aspects. The Feb 1 rain crust is down 20-50 cm and present below 1900 m. In thin snow pack areas a dense mid-pack sits over a weak, faceted base. Thick snowpack areas have a denser base with few weaknesses.

Avalanche Summary

Local ski hills reported newly formed wind slabs isolated to immediate lee slopes near ridge crests. Ski patrol and Visitor Safety teams were able to ski cut size 1 avalanches on this layer. Some large sluffs out of extreme rocky terrain up to size 1.5 were reported and one natural cornice failure was observed.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are present in lee areas of the alpine with isolated wind slabs down into treeline in some areas. These are small and generally stubborn but are present in more areas due to increased winds on Thursday.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Avalanche activity on the basal facets has slowed down but the weakness in the snowpack remains a concern. These are hard to predict, but are most likely in areas with a thin snowpack (<150cm) where the basal facets and depth hoar are prominent.

  • Use caution in thin snowpack areas.
  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3