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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2025–Feb 18th, 2025

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Although not listed as a problem, be aware that on steeper terrain, surface facets can accumulate and contribute to small loose dry avalanches. Pay attention to how these sluffs interact with terrain traps, as even small slides can have consequences.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise patrol ski-cut size 1 loose dry "facet-lanches" in steeper terrain today, driven by intense surface faceting in the upper snowpack due to recent cold temperatures. Meanwhile, Sunshine patrol triggered thin wind slabs up to size 1.5 with explosives.

Snowpack Summary

Aging wind slabs sit on top of the Jan 30 interface. Specific areas exposed to the wind may also have strastrugi. The mid-pack is generally weak facets, while depth hoar over a crust forms an even weaker base. The snowpack is the weakest in eastern areas where snow depths are low. In these areas, the basal weaknesses should be carefully considered.

Weather Summary

Another chilly day ahead, with overnight lows dropping to around -15°C in the valley and -18°C at the ridge. Daytime highs will climb to about -7°C. Winds remain light and variable. Expect clear skies in the morning, with clouds moving in by the afternoon. Still no significant snowfall on the horizon.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

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.