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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2025–Feb 4th, 2025

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

Pay attention to how well the recent snow is bonding to the old (Jan 30) surface. There are reports of cracking and whoomphing on this layer.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported today.

Snowpack Summary

The BYK Region received between 15-30 cm of storm snow over the weekend with the deeper amounts closer to the divide. This storm snow sits on a mix of facets, surface hoar and and thin sun crusts (Jan 30 layer). Strong winds during the storm will have created fresh windslabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline. The mid-pack is generally weak and faceted with an old crust and depth hoar near the base.

Weather Summary

Tuesday will be continued cold (treeline highs of -20) with scattered clouds and only very light precipitation. Winds are forecasted to be light to moderate from the south.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected 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.

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.