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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2020–Feb 15th, 2020

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

You can't outsmart the basal facets and depth hoar, especially in thinner snowpack areas where they are well preserved.  Terrain choice will be your best defense. Good ski quality and coverage in many areas.

Weather Forecast

Westerly winds will stay in the moderate to strong range on Saturday.  Highs of -5C at valley bottom and  -12C in the alpine. 3-5cm expected Saturday and 3-5 on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm over the last few days sits over top of a well settled upper and mid-pack. The lower snowpack (bottom 50cm) consists of weaker facets and depth hoar which are well preserved in areas under 150cm. These are still producing moderate shears with snowpack tests. Isolated wind slabs exist near ridge tops and lee terrain in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No natural activity observed. The ski-hills reported small wind-slabs in the alpine and some moderate cornice development (described as fridge sized).

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.