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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2021–Feb 23rd, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

New snow has refreshed the ski quality, but has been accompanied by lots of wind and sits on a weak facet layer in many locations.

Choose conservative terrain from which to assess conditions following this significant storm

Weather Forecast

A cold front will bring a good pulse of precipitation on Monday night (5-20 cm with highest amounts in the north and west) accompanied by strong westerly winds.  Tuesday looks unsettled with light precipitation and easing winds.  Wednesday looks to be cold, calm and clear before the next storm approaches Wednesday evening into Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

15-50 cm of storm snow over the last three days along with strong to extreme west winds has created windslabs in exposed alpine and treeline areas. This sits on top of either old wind effect in areas that were previously wind effected or soft facets in previously sheltered areas. The Jan. 27th interface of facets/sun crust is now down 30-70 cm.

Avalanche Summary

Limited visibility today, but an avalanche cycle occurred Sunday night within the storm. Bourgeau Left Hand ice climb ran size 2-3 (couldn't see the fracture line but debris ran below the climb). Ski hills were reporting limited results to size 1, mainly as soft wind slabs or storm slabs.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.