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

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 22nd, 2017–Feb 23rd, 2017
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 Yoho Kootenay.

Current conditions are some of the most dangerous for backcountry travelers. Natural avalanches are unlikely; thus the problem is not obvious - but human triggered avalanches are likely, and happening daily. Keep a wide margin of safety . . .

Weather Forecast

Temperatures falling overnight to reach -15 by Wednesday with highs around -10. Possibility of up to 10 cm of new snow on Wednesday, but this looks to be in eastern areas only. Return to sunny skies for Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

25cm of recent storm snow has formed isolated soft slabs near ridge crests in the alpine. Persistent problems remain with facetting in the lower half of the snowpack. This is common to all areas and may be found at varying depths. Triggering is more likely in thin areas or near rocky outcrops.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, skiers triggered a size 1.5 onto another group below in Lipalian 3 at Lake Louise. A large natural avalanche was reported on the North Face of Mt Temple today.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

There is a thick slab over a structurally weak snowpack at all elevations. Likely areas of triggering are in thin parts of a slope or rocky outcrops at tree line and above where a failure can propagate to deeper areas and cause large avalanches.
Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Small isolated new wind slabs are present in the alpine. Winds from several days ago have also created firm wind slabs which are now buried. Probe for these buried hard layers especially near ridge crests and in cross loaded features.
If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2