Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2013 5:14PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Ice climber avalanche involvement today (see table).Things are slowly changing. The surface layer during this 3 week drought is now buried. We are calling this layer Jan 6. It is a mix of surface hoar and facets. This will be one to monitor.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A strong system is expected to reach the forecast are by Tuesday night. Up to 30mm of precipitation can be expected, fair confidence. This will dramatically raise the avalanche danger rating. Until then, expect moderate W wind and light accumulations until Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Between 5 and 20cm of very low density snow fell last night and into today. The was virtually no wind affect at tree line today in the Little Yoho and Highway 93 South areas. There were limited observations in the alpine, however, it suspected that winds have started to create soft slabs, and avalanche activity should be expected.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche 1: Purple Bowl, Size 2, natural cause, no involvement.Avalanche 2: Pilsner Piller, Size 2, natural cause, one climber was hit while leading the ice climb. Miraculously, he held on, his partner was unaffected. VERY close call. Parks Canada responded and confirmed this account with the climbers. Photos are available on our facebook page.

Confidence

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

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and moderate wind from the West have started to create wind slabs in alpine lee areas. Expect these wind slabs to be reactive to skier traffic tomorrow.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Steep gully features with shallow snow packs are the likely areas to run into this problem.

Avoid traveling on ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2013 4:00PM