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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 3rd, 2021–Feb 4th, 2021
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
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Avalanche Control is taking place on Mt. Whymper (93 South) and Mt. Bourgeau (Sunshine Village Road) on Thursday Feb 4th. No climbing or skiing in these areas!

Increasing winds will keep the avalanche hazard elevated on Thursday.

Weather Forecast

Thursday will be mainly cloudy with isolated flurries with snow accumulations up to 2cm. Winds will increase during the early morning up into the strong range (40-60km/hr) from the West to North West, tapering off by the late evening. Alpine temps ranging from -8 to -15.

Snowpack Summary

30-60 cm of snow over the last week. This snow is low density below tree line, but is forming slabs up to 100 cm deep above tree line where the wind has redistributed it in lee features. The mid snowpack has a series of persistent weak layers that remain dormant. Height of snow at tree line is 150-220 cm.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive avalanche control on Mt. Field, Mt. Stephen and Mt. Dennis on Wednesday produced numerous size 2.0 avalanches and several up to size 2.5.

A natural avalanche cycle occurred on Tuesday up to size 2.5, which had periods of intense loading, snowing up to 5cm an hour for a few hours. Natural avalanche activity has since tapered off.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Increasing winds, up into the strong range (40-60km/hr) from the West to North West will redistribute the recent storm snow into wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at tree line.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
  • Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

Up to 60 cm of storm snow has been sluffing easily in steep terrain. Avoid committing yourself to steep, confined terrain if it has not already sluffed out.

  • Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.
  • Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5