Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Due to recent snow and forecasted wind for Wednesday, expect fresh wind slabs in lee alpine terrain
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Storm slabs, and wind slabs in the alpine (size 1 to 2) were reported by local ski hills. Loose dry avalanches (size 1) were observed out of steep alpine terrain.
Snowpack Summary
15-35 cm settled storm snow (in the alpine) from past 4 days overlays crusts on all aspects except north (above 2400m) where it overlays dry snow.
The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) and basal depth hoar remain the most prominent features in the snowpack but have been dormant with recent cool temperatures. These layers are a greater concern in thin snowpack areas on north slopes above 2300m.
Weather Summary
Scattered flurries with locally heavier snowfall amounts will persist through Thursday. A clearing and warming trend is forecast for Friday.
Wed: 5-10 cm, mod to strong northerly winds. Freezing levels around 2000m.
Thurs: Trace amounts of snow, mod northerly winds,. Freezing levels around 2200m.
For more detailed weather click here.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and wind over the last several days has created windslabs in alpine lee features. Convective flurries over the next few days will add to this and northerly winds may create some reverse loading
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
New snow and wind over the next few days will likely produce loose dry sluffing in steep alpine terrain. Heads up if you're planning to head into steep gullies or couloirs!
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5