Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Windslabs and basal weaknesses are still a significant threat in the forecast area. Limit your exposure to avalanche terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A little warming Friday and then a return to moderately cool temperatures. Cloud and a few flurries are also expected for the next two days.

Snowpack Summary

Large weak facets and depth hoar in the basal snowpack layer continue to be a threat in most areas. Midpack faceting and buried surface hoar near treeline and in the alpine are also common. Windslabs on facets can be found on most exposed south and west aspects. Lee slabs on north and east aspects are also common near ridge tops.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterdays avalanche control produced numerous large avalanches and some continued natural activity today would indicate that things have not yet settled. Today's activity included avalanches to size 2 starting in steep terrain and stopping in the track.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2015 4:00PM