Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Conditions remain tricky. The weak layers in the snowpack do not inspire confidence and we continue to see natural, human, and explosive-triggered avalanches daily. The only reliable way to avoid avalanches is to stick with low-consequence terrain and minimize exposure to overhead hazard.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday a skier accidental avalanche occurred in steep treeline terrain. Explosive control on Mt Hector resulted in avalanches up to size 3 failing on both persistent and deep persistent layers. Local ski hills saw a few explosive-triggered avalanches and several natural avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the previous 24 hrs.
Saturday a few small wet loose avalanches were observed in steep solar terrain and a few wind-triggered slides were reported in the alpine
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs in lee areas and extensive wind effect in open alpine and treeline areas. Sun crusts have formed on steep solar aspects. 40-80 cm of settled snow overlies weak facets above the Feb 3 interface. The Feb 3 crust exists up to 2500 m and higher on solar aspects. The lower snowpack consists of several facet layers from Jan and Dec. Depth hoar and facets are present at the base of the snowpack and remain weak in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Moderate to strong southwest winds at ridgetop on Sunday will continue to stream bands of snow across the Rockies, especially along the Divide. Clouds and flurries throughout the day with accumulations of 2-10 cm. Freezing levels will rise to near 1600 m in the afternoon before dropping to the valley bottom overnight.
For more detailed weather information, click here.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow has been redistributed into lee areas by moderate to strong winds. Incoming snow with continued strong SW winds will add to this problem. Use caution in lee areas and watch for wind loading above you which could result in natural avalanches being triggered.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
40-80 cm of settled snow overlies weak facets above the Feb 3 interface. Many natural, human, and explosive-triggered avalanches have occurred on this layer in the past week and human triggering of this persistent weak layer remains likely in many areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
Some recent avalanches are stepping down to the weak facet and depth hoar layers near the base of the snowpack resulting in large avalanches. This seems to be most common in thin, steep, rocky terrain in the alpine. Continue to treat large alpine features with caution.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5