Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 2nd, 2023–Feb 3rd, 2023

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

Continued wind and a bit of new snow is in the forecast. If forecasted snow on Saturday/Sunday comes true, treeline hazard may bump up in some areas...

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise snow safety team noticed several size 1 windslabs and 1 size 2 on a reloaded bed surface. All of these were on north through east aspects in alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong west winds have formed wind effect and fresh wind-slabs at alpine and tree-line elevations. The upper snowpack has a weak interface down 20-40 cm on the Jan 4 surface hoar/suncrust layer. The Nov 16 deep persistent layer is down 40-90 cm and continues to produce variable sudden test results. The mid and lower pack is weak in eastern regions and more supportive in western areas.

Weather Summary

Strong SW flow over the next few days with most of the moisture falling to the west of our region. Freezing levels rising to ~ 1400m daily throughout the period.

Friday: Alpine winds extreme from the SW. Light flurries starting in the afternoon.

Saturday: Alpine winds decreasing to strong from the W. 5-10 cm snow possible with higher amounts in western areas.

Sunday: Alpine winds ease to moderate from the SW, with up to 5 more cm of snow.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong W winds have formed wind effect and fresh wind slabs in the alpine and treeline elevations. These wind slabs have been reactive to skier triggering.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower snowpack is comprised of weak facets and depth hoar with the upper snowpack forming a 40 to 90 cm thick slab above the weakness. Human triggering on this layer remains a concern.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5