Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 7th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

AB, Avalanche Canada

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

The sun had an unexpected punch today producing loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 in the alpine. This demonstrates how quickly conditions can change. Be mindful of un-forecasted sunny conditions where solar radiation can have a large impact.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine patrol reported that Bourgeau 9 produced a loose wet avalanche size 1.5. Additionally, they were getting explosive results, wind-slabs to size 1.5, in the Delirium Dive. Lake Louise patrol reported seeing loose dry avalanches in the surrounding backcountry to size 1. No avalanches were observed by the field team up 93N.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of recent storm snow, becoming moist on solar aspects, sits on a recently formed crust, which is widespread at all elevations, except for north aspects above 2500 m. The cooling temperatures have improved the stability of the mid-pack, but the January persistent facet layers down 20-50 cm, and deep persistent facet and depth hoar layers at the base of the snowpack, are still present at treeline and above.

Bow Summit Profile.

Weather Summary

Generally, a benign weather pattern will exist for the next couple of days. Light ridge top wind, trace accumulations of snow, and cloudy skies with seasonal temperatures.

For more mountain weather click HERE.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The cooling temperatures have reduced the likelihood of the persistent slab problem which is comprised of facets that formed end of December and mid-January. However, these weak layers have not gone away entirely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

The weak base is still present in areas at tree-line and above. Forecasters have not seen a significant avalanche on this layer for some time, however, it is not outside the realm of possibility.