Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
As we approach our annual February period of low danger at all elevations, a reminder that low danger does not mean no danger! Particularly with the kind of facetted, weak snowpack that exists - move into bigger terrain very carefully.
Weather Forecast
A westerly flow continues, with no significant systems moving through the area for the next 24-hours. Expect Friday to be sunny with some clouds, particularly late in the day. Temperatures will range from 0 to -8, and expect 3-5 cm of snow overnight on Friday. This might just freshen up the ski quality for Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
After a period of very warm weather, the return to colder weather has improved the stability of the snowpack. A very weak base still exists, and moderate compression tests (sudden collapse) failing in depth hoar 25 cm above the ground are being observed in many locations across the parks. We remain cautious of large, open slopes above treeline.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported today.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.