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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 7th, 2023–Feb 8th, 2023
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
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
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: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Sunshine.

A storm is approaching and models are variable with snowfall amounts. Be on the lookout for greater than forecasted snowfall amounts in your local area. If more snow has fallen than anticipated, the danger rating could be HIGH.

Due to avalanche control, the area surrounding Bourgeau Left and Right is CLOSED on February 8, 2023.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Parks Canada forecasters triggered a fresh size 1 wind slab on Dolomite shoulder today 60 to 80cm deep. Sunshine patrol also triggered 2 size 1 wind slabs. Forecasters anticipate that avalanche activity will increase on Wednesday due to incoming snow Tuesday overnight.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of new snow has fallen on 93N as of Tues afternoon, much less in the rest of the forecast area. There are reactive wind slabs in lee alpine areas. The upper snowpack has several crusts and weak interfaces from January down 25-70cm. The Nov 16 deep persistent facet layer is down 40-110 cm and continues to produce sudden test results.

Weather Summary

Cooling temperatures with the ridge being around -15 and the valley about -6 on Wednesday. Incoming snowfall will vary across the region with more accumulating in the north (up to 20cm). Wind will remain elevated and not come below 40km/hr from the SW. Winds will peak at roughly 80km/hr from the SW early morning hours on Wednesday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Small amounts of new snow with more snow Tuesday night combined with South Westerly wind will form fresh windslabs in lee areas. Wind slab depth will be highly variable on Wednesday due to different snow fall amounts overnight.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar with the upper snowpack forming a 50 to 120 cm thick slab above this weakness. Recent storms will add snow load and potentially increase the likelihood of triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3