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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 21st, 2021–Feb 22nd, 2021

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Extreme winds, new snow and warm temperatures are promoting a HIGH danger rating.  Avoid all avalanche terrain Monday.

Weather Forecast

Strong winds warm temperatures and moderate precipitation will continue Monday. As the system tapers early Tuesday morning, temperatures will begin to cool and upper elevation winds will subside.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme SW winds, warm temps and new snow are creating wind slabs and storm slabs over the old faceted surface. We suspect this new storm snow/facet interface to be reactive. Below the newly formed instabilities the Jan 27 facet / sun crust persistent layer exist at tree line.

Avalanche Summary

Extensive loose dry avalanche activity to size 1.5 was observed throughout the forecast region Saturday. Though no slab avalanches were observed we suspect an increase in wind slab activity at tree line and above.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.