Banff Yoho Kootenay

We are in a period of rapid change between cold and stormy conditions, to warm spring conditions, which has the potential to wake up basal weaknesses. Deep persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast and uncertainty will be high as the snowpack adjusts.

• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.

On Thursday we received several reports of wind slabs, loose dry, and loose wet avalanches up to size 2 out of alpine terrain.

A size 2 skier accidental on a north aspect adjacent to the ski hill failed as a wind slab on a crust at the storm snow interface.

A size 3 deep persistent slab on a north aspect was reported just to the west of BNP.

35cm of storm snow overlays crusts on all aspects except north (above 2400m) where it overlays dry snow. This snow will settle rapidly on solar aspects and at lower elevations.

The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) and basal depth hoar remain the most prominent features in the snowpack but have been dormant with recent cool temperatures. These layers are a greater concern in thin snowpack areas on north slopes above 2300m.

Continued clearing and warming with freezing levels up to 3100 m by Sunday. A pulse of rain and snow is expected on Sunday/Monday.

Fri: Sunny with cloudy periods, alpine high 2 °C, light ridgetop winds, freezing level up to 2500 metres.

Sat: A mix of sun and cloud, alpine low -3 °C, high 3 °C, mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h, freezing level 2700 metres.

For more detailed weather click here.