Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
New snow amounts may be highly variable because of the convective nature of this weather pattern. In certain drainages, enough storm snow has accumulated to create new windslabs, carefully monitor new snow amounts, and watch for wind loading before committing to a slope.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
The local ski hill reported a few windslab and loose dry avalanches up to size 1 out of North facing alpine terrain on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
15-20 cm of storm snow remains dry on sheltered N slopes above ~2400 m and is moist or refrozen on all other aspects. This new snow sits over crusts on all aspects except high N slopes where it overlies dry snow.
The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) and basal depth hoar remain the most prominent features in the snowpack but have been dormant since the last temperature spike. These layers are a greater concern in thin snowpack areas on north slopes above 2300m.
Weather Summary
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, freezing levels between 1800 and 2000 m, light SW ridgetop winds.
Tuesday: Cloudy with convective snow showers, 4-8mm possible, freezing levels 1700-2000 meters, light to mod N ridgetop winds.
Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with no precip, freezing level rising to 2300m, light N ridgetop winds.
For more detailed weather click here.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for thin new slabs over sun crusts and potentially thicker slabs on north slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5