Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
There's a lot of uncertainty with snowfall amounts and timing but most forecasts agree that the next couple days will be fairly stormy with elevated northerly winds.
Expect avalanche activity in steep alpine terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small loose dry avalanches were observed in steep alpine terrain on a flight in the Banff area on Monday.
A size 1 windslab was triggered by a ski cut by Sunshine Village snow safety in a steep alpine feature.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of storm snow remains dry on sheltered N slopes above ~2400 m and is moist or refrozen on all other aspects. This new snow sits over crusts on all aspects except high N slopes where it overlies 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 since the last temperature spike. These layers are a greater concern in thin snowpack areas on north slopes above 2300m.
Weather Summary
Unstable weather with lots of convective activity over the next few days means that snowfall amounts will be highly variable and difficult to predict.
Generally, we can expect cool conditions with freezing levels staying below 2000m.
Tues: 5-10cm with some models showing up to 30cm. Moderate NW winds.
Wed: 5-10cm. Strong N winds
Thurs: Clearing trend, winds NE easing to light
For more detailed weather click here.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
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