Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 25th, 2013–Feb 26th, 2013

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

The new snow has refreshed the ski quality! Use caution in lee alpine and treeline terrain as the fresh windslab instabilities will need time to settle out.

Weather Forecast

A series of weak systems will bring minimal precipitation, overcast skies with some sunny breaks, and light to moderate W/ SW alpine winds for Tues, Wed, and Thurs. Alpine temperatures will remain in the -8 to -15 range.

Snowpack Summary

W of the divide, 15-25 cm has fallen over the last 3 days and been blown into fresh windslabs at treeline and alpine elevations. This sits on a well settled snowpack. Jan. 6th SH is visible in pits in some areas but is decomposing and unreactive. E of the divide, 5-10 cm has formed thinner windslabs which sit on top of a mostly facetted snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed on a field trip in the Lake Louise backcountry.

Confidence

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.