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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 16th, 2025–Feb 17th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Monday looks like a great time to be up high but watch for the effects of solar warming later in the day. Ski quality varies from poor in wind-exposed areas to good in sheltered spots. Be cautious of lingering wind slabs, and continued facetting of the surface snow, which may sluff easily in extreme terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday local ski hills reported triggering some wind slabs with explosives up to size 2 and a couple of small natural wind slabs, one of which was triggered by a cornice fall. Some small loose dry avalanches in steep terrain were also reported. A few more small wind slabs in the alpine were reported on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Last week's storm snow has been redistributed into now aging wind slabs, which 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 on 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. See the snow profile from Bow summit on Feb 14th.

Weather Summary

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with light NW winds at ridgetop. No new snow. Treeline temperatures will be between -12 and 15°C.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

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.