Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Pay attention to how well the recent snow is bonding to the old (Jan 30) surface. There are reports of cracking and whoomphing on this layer.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported today.
Snowpack Summary
The BYK Region received between 15-30 cm of storm snow over the weekend with the deeper amounts closer to the divide. This storm snow sits on a mix of facets, surface hoar and and thin sun crusts (Jan 30 layer). Strong winds during the storm will have created fresh windslabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline. The mid-pack is generally weak and faceted with an old crust and depth hoar near the base.
Weather Summary
Tuesday will be continued cold (treeline highs of -20) with scattered clouds and only very light precipitation. Winds are forecasted to be light to moderate from the south.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong winds on Saturday have redistributed the storm snow and created wind slabs in the alpine and some treeline locations. The bond to the old (Jan 30) surface remains uncertain, so assess conditions locally.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
Dry loose avalanches are still possible in steep and gullied terrain (especially during periods of mod/strong wind). Ice climbers in particular should be wary of these sluffs in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5