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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 9th, 2017–Feb 10th, 2017
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

A significant avalanche cycle is starting on Thursday night and will peak on Friday. Avoid avalanche terrain on Friday, and although things may improve slightly for the weekend - extreme winds will keep the avalanche danger high on Saturday.

Weather Forecast

A strong SW flow is driving moisture over the region and bringing extreme winds right through the weekend. Expect a storm total of 30 cm by Friday morning, along with winds in excess of 100 km/hr in alpine areas overnight Thursday. Temperatures are rising also, but look to remain below freezing along the Continental Divide areas through the storm.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of new snow over the past 24-hrs and another 20cm expected by Friday will be blown into deep windslabs by extreme winds from the SW on Thursday night. These new slabs overlie a fundamentally weak snowpack comprised mostly of facets and depth hoar. Snowpack tests indicate failures, and we expect action on these layers over the next 48-hrs.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility today, but during our field trip to Crowfoot Pass we could hear avalanches occurring in the cliffs overhead.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect drifted snow to be deeper than 100 cm in leeward areas on Friday and very susceptible to human triggering. Give avalanche terrain a wide berth and remember that any fracture lines my extend further that you expect.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem is likely to "wake up" during this storm, resulting in large avalanches that could potentially run full path. Avoid avalanche terrain on Friday. and remember to watch out for overheard slopes and gullies.
Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 4