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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 23rd, 2017–Feb 24th, 2017
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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: Little Yoho.

Despite the Moderate Danger rating, the snowpack this year warrants a conservative approach to entering bigger terrain. Good skiing with little wind effect can be found in most locations.

Weather Forecast

Friday will be mostly cloudy with only isolated flurries. Daytime highs of -12 in the alpine and the freezing levels will be near valley bottom. Winds will be mostly light.

Snowpack Summary

There is 20-30 cm of low density storm snow (with very little wind effect) at upper elevations. The snowpack at tree-line is about 2 metres deep and the mid-pack is relatively well settled above 1800 m. Several variable shears have been observed within the midpack. These shears should be assesses prior to committing to any bigger slopes.

Avalanche Summary

There was good visibility today and the field team observed evidence of an avalanche cycle from the past week including a number of skier triggered and natural avalanches around Lake Louise Ski Area and along the east side of the Banff Jasper Highway. There was no recent avalanche activity reported from Little Yoho Valley and the Wapta Icefields.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A variable snowpack exist ranging from quite strong in the Takakkaw Falls area to somewhat weaker around Emerald Lake. Several weak facet interfaces exist in the mid-pack. Dig down and assess these layers prior to committing to any bigger terrain.

  • Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3