Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Although not listed as a problem, be aware that on steeper terrain, surface facets can accumulate and contribute to small loose dry avalanches. Pay attention to how these sluffs interact with terrain traps, as even small slides can have consequences.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Lake Louise patrol ski-cut size 1 loose dry "facet-lanches" in steeper terrain today, driven by intense surface faceting in the upper snowpack due to recent cold temperatures. Meanwhile, Sunshine patrol triggered thin wind slabs up to size 1.5 with explosives.
Snowpack Summary
Aging wind slabs sit on top of the Jan 30 interface. Specific areas exposed to the wind may also have strastrugi. The mid-pack is generally weak facets, while depth hoar over a crust forms an even weaker base. The snowpack is the weakest in eastern areas where snow depths are low. In these areas, the basal weaknesses should be carefully considered.
Weather Summary
Another chilly day ahead, with overnight lows dropping to around -15°C in the valley and -18°C at the ridge. Daytime highs will climb to about -7°C. Winds remain light and variable. Expect clear skies in the morning, with clouds moving in by the afternoon. Still no significant snowfall on the horizon.
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
Lingering hard wind slabs exist on alpine lee features. Potential failure planes are either old weak facet layers or the Jan 30 layer of facets, sun crusts, and isolated surface hoar beneath the recent snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 2