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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 9th, 2024–Feb 10th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
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.

An uptick in wind this weekend will likely start developing wind slabs in the alpine and create sluffing in steep features. We have removed the deep persistent avalanche problem as forecasters feel triggering is unlikely (not impossible!) and lack recent activity.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine reported triggering small wind slabs to size 1.5, and 1 explosive triggered size 2 avalanche on the persistent, mid-pack facets.

No other avalanches were observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

15-25cm of recent storm snow overlays the Feb 3 temperature crust present on all aspects except north above 2500m. This crust ranges from 1cm to 15cm (thickest in Yoho). A thin sun-crust exists on the surface on steep south aspects. Mid-pack weak layers from Dec and Jan are down roughly 30 and 50cm. Facets and depth hoar make up the basal layers of the snowpack in most locations.

Weather Summary

Saturday: No snow expected, increasing NW alpine winds from 40-55kmh, and valley bottom freezing levels.

Sunday: 2-4cm, with moderate to strong West winds and valley bottom freezing levels.

For more mountain weather, click HERE.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Increasing winds this weekend will start to move the 10-25cm of low-density snow around. This new snow sits on the Feb 3 crust, and any slab or slough will likely travel far and fast in steep features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

Two persistent layers from the end of December and mid-January exist in the mid-pack down roughly 30 and 50 cm. There has been little natural activity and infrequent triggering on these layers recently.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5