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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 11th, 2025–Feb 12th, 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 slightly warmer Wednesday, the brisk northerly wind will keep it feeling cold. Lots of wind effect in the alpine, but pockets of good riding can be found.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No natural avalanches were observed or reported in 48 hrs. Sunshine triggered three small wind slabs with explosives on a NE-facing alpine feature. Visitor Safety looked at the Quartz skier accidental - the start zone was 48° and the failure plane was an old layer of weak facets down 50 cm.

Snowpack Summary

Last week's storm snow has been redistributed into wind slabs, which now sit on top of the Jan 30 interface. The mid-pack is generally weak with 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

Wednesday's temperatures will be warmer, with morning lows around -20C and daytime highs around -10C. Winds will be moderate from the North, then switch to a moderate westerly flow in the afternoon. Skies will be a mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation in the forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • 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.