Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Small wind slabs may be found in alpine terrain. These have been generally small and stubborn to trigger but may be enough to ruin your day in steep terrain. Still good skiing in sheltered areas.
Eastern areas of the region have a weaker than normal snowpack this year. Avalanche terrain in these areas should be approached with caution.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Local ski hills were reporting thin windslabs on Friday, that were small in size but could be triggered with ski cuts and explosives.
There was a remotely triggered avalanche just southwest of our region that likely failed on the Jan. 30th layer in an area with a deeper snowpack and more of a windslab above this layer.
Snowpack Summary
Last weekend's storm has settled into 15-20 cm of snow with variable wind effect. This recent snow has buried a new weak layer (dated January 30) which will be important to watch in the future. Currently, minimal slab properties overlying the Jan 30th layer keep the danger moderate to low. The mid-pack is generally weak and faceted with an old crust and depth hoar near the base. The snowpack is the weakest in eastern areas where the basal weaknesses should not be forgotten.
Weather Summary
Dry and cold conditions will persist. Treeline temperatures will be steady between -17 to -21°C. Winds will increase slightly to moderate from the west Friday night and into Saturday. Saturday will be mostly cloudy and we may see a trace of new snow.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds overnight on Wednesday created a thin layer of hard windslab in many alpine lee features. This adds to older windslabs that existed in isolated alpine terrain and may be triggerable in some areas. Be cautious of steep wind affected alpine terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2