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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2022–Feb 6th, 2022

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Continue to monitor slab development and investigate what the new snow is sitting over. While we have dropped the persistent slab as an avalanche problem, the Dec. 2 midpack facets/crust are still something to factor into your decision making.

Weather Forecast

On Sunday, continued moderate to strong winds W winds in the alpine with freezing levels rising to1500m and trace amounts of snow. Monday AM will start with an inversion. Temperatures at 2600m will be -2C and valley bottoms at -12C. 5-10cm is possible in some areas accompanied by continued moderate to strong alpine winds.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate winds continue to redistribute the 20-30cm that has accumulated over the Jan 30 crust, surface hoar and wind effect. Hard slabs can be found in alpine. While slab development at treeline is only starting, these are more likely to overlay a sun crust, surface hoar, or facets. Shallow snowpack areas remain weak and faceted.

Avalanche Summary

Both of the ski hills have reported working with stubborn hard slabs in the alpine over the last couple of days up to size 1.5. An explosive triggered size 2 at Sunshine started as a cornice, triggering a smaller wind slab which was sitting on a sun crust. No other observations.

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.