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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2021–Feb 4th, 2021

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Avalanche Control is taking place on Mt. Whymper (93 South) and Mt. Bourgeau (Sunshine Village Road) on Thursday Feb 4th. No climbing or skiing in these areas!

Increasing winds will keep the avalanche hazard elevated on Thursday.

Weather Forecast

Thursday will be mainly cloudy with isolated flurries with snow accumulations up to 2cm. Winds will increase during the early morning up into the strong range (40-60km/hr) from the West to North West, tapering off by the late evening. Alpine temps ranging from -8 to -15.

Snowpack Summary

30-60 cm of snow over the last week. This snow is low density below tree line, but is forming slabs up to 100 cm deep above tree line where the wind has redistributed it in lee features. The mid snowpack has a series of persistent weak layers that remain dormant. Height of snow at tree line is 150-220 cm.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive avalanche control on Mt. Field, Mt. Stephen and Mt. Dennis on Wednesday produced numerous size 2.0 avalanches and several up to size 2.5.

A natural avalanche cycle occurred on Tuesday up to size 2.5, which had periods of intense loading, snowing up to 5cm an hour for a few hours. Natural avalanche activity has since tapered off.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.