Avalanche Forecast

High

Ski patrol at Lake Louise reported triggering windslabs in alpine lee features that were 10-30 cm deep up to size 1.5. Sunshine reported some small cornice failures with daytime warming.

The Feb 3rd persistent weak layer is a deeper layer that we have been monitoring. There have been three avalanches involving this layer in the last 10 days: a natural near Bow Summit, a skier remote in Purple Bowl and a skier accidental at the Cathedral Glades.

Surface crusts exist on all solar aspects and up to ~2000 m on shaded north aspects. Above ~ 2000m on north aspects, 10-30 cm of dry, wind effected snow exists with windslabs on lee ridgetop features.

The midpack is generally well settled until the February 3 persistent weak layer which remains a concern for human triggering in shallow snowpack areas on northerly alpine aspects. In these areas, no crusts are found in the upper snowpack and the midpack remains thin and weak.

Thursday - expect increasing cloud with flurries in the afternoon/evening and only trace amounts. Freezing levels (FL) will be between 2000-2200 m with moderate SW ridgetop winds.

Friday - scattered flurries continue with light to moderate SW wind. FL range 2100-2400 m.

Saturday - expect bands of high cloud and moderate west wind.

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• Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.