Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 26th, 2020–Feb 27th, 2020
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
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

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Watch locally for wind slab development Thursday. Also be curious about snowpack depths as thinner areas will likely have more pronounced basal facets. Great skiing in sheltered areas.

Weather Forecast

Alpine winds at 3000m will be in the 70kmh range Thursday with 5cm of snow possible. Temperatures at treeline will range from -10 to -4C. Expect 5cm Friday and 10cm on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of recent storm snow covers previously formed wind slabs in lee areas, and buried sun crusts on steep solar aspects. The Feb 1 rain crust is down 20-50 cm and present below 1900 m. In thin snow pack areas a dense mid-pack sits over a weak, faceted base. Thick snowpack areas have a denser base with few weaknesses.

Avalanche Summary

Local ski hills reported newly formed windslab isolated to immediate lee slopes off ridge crest. Ski patrol were able to produce size 1 avalanches on this layer with ski cuts. Some large sloughs out of extreme cliffed terrain.

Confidence

Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Thursday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are present in lee areas of the high alpine. So far these are small but have been reported as a touch more reactive than yesterday.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Avalanche activity on the basal facets has slowed down but the weakness in the snowpack remains a concern. These are hard to predict, but are most likely in areas with a thin snowpack (<150cm) where the basal facets and depth hoar are prominent.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.
  • Use caution in thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3