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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 6th, 2023–Feb 7th, 2023

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

Regions

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

The avalanche hazard is forecast to increase through Wednesday with continued elevated winds and snowfall.

Snowfall is forecast to be higher in the northern parts of the region.

Consider your exposure to overhead avalanche terrain carefully as a natural avalanche cycle can be expected.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend the Lake Louise avalanche control team reported working with small new windslabs. Sunday the Sunshine village avalanche control team controlled three cornices to size 2, one of which triggered a slab in the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 25 cm of snow over the past week has been redistributed by continuous moderate to strong west and southwest winds forming wind slabs overlying wind effect found at alpine and treeline elevations. The upper snowpack has several crusts and weak interfaces from January down 15-50 cm. The Nov 16 deep persistent facet layer is down 40-110 cm and continues to produce sudden test results. The mid-pack is weak in eastern parts of the region and more supportive in western areas along the divide.

Weather Summary

5cm of snow with strong west winds can be expected overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.

Tuesday another 5 cm is forecast with winds shifting SW and decreasing to moderate to strong. Alpine Temperatures remain steady at -5-10C.

Overnight into Wednesday up to 10cm of snow with winds shifting back to the west and decreasing into the moderate range as temperatures fall to -10C in the alpine.

Snow fall amounts for the period are expected to be lower south of the Kicking Horse Pass.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

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.