Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 15 – 16, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 15 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The widespread surface hoar that sparkled in the sun last week has now been buried by 5-15cm of snow. In alpine areas affected by wind, soft slabs are touchy to skier loads. Pay attention to a change in the surface snow and avoid slabs.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Today in Yoho, we found soft slabs in alpine lee terrain, and were able to cut out small pockets on unsupported rolls. The slabs popped out quickly as they overlie surface hoar. Fast sluffing on surface hoar where the wind hasn't touched the slope.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Strong winds from earlier in the month have created large cornices on lee (mostly easterly) aspects. Several large cornice collapses have been observed over the past week. These cornices could be a big enough to trigger a deep slab.

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Regions covered