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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 20th, 2017–Feb 21st, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Little Yoho.

Enjoy the great skiing but remember that the potential for large human triggered avalanches persists. Conservative route choices remain the theme of the day anywhere that the weak basal facets are present. These conditions will linger for some time.

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud with a few light flurries are forecast over the next few days. Winds should stay in the light range and temperatures are expected to be in the -3 to -12 range with a slow decrease over the forecast period.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5-10cm overnight with light winds. Isolated soft slab formation near ridge crests in the alpine. Persistent problems remain with the lower half of the snow pack being weak and faceted in thin snow pack areas or near rocky outcrops. Cooler temperatures have helped to stabilize the snow pack below tree line but it is still weak.

Avalanche Summary

Two notable events in the last 24hrs. One was a remotely triggered size 3 avalanche near Cirque peak triggered by a large whumph almost 200m away. The second was two large avalanches triggered by explosives in "the Elevator Shaft" at Lake Louise after numerous smaller explosives had been tried in the previous 24hrs. All ran on the weak facets.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A thick slab of more recent snow sits over several weak facet interfaces in the mid and lower snow pack where ever the snowpack is thin. Dig down to see if these facets are present and if so choose conservative terrain features.

  • Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
  • Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Thin wind slabs are present in the alpine due to the fresh snow. There are also buried wind slabs that are becoming less reactive but should still be on your radar. Probe to find them, especially near ridge crests and in cross loaded areas.

  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2