Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2012 4:00PM

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

lisa paulson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Some weather forecasts are calling for 20-30 cm of new snow in the next 36 hours with moderate SW winds. If this occurs watch for a rise in avalanche hazard through the day.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

These hard windslabs are between 10 and 25cm deep. Any new snow may hide these windslabs that up until recently have been active. It may still be possible to trigger this layer in select features from a thin edge of the slab.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer may become more active and more sensitive to trigger with the forecasted snow and moderate SW winds for tonight and Monday. Cornice failures or new load from snow or wind may trigger large avalanches (see MCR on Stanley area).

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A surface hoar layer down 70-100 cm has been found in Kootenay, Sunshine, Takakkaw falls, and BJ highway. It's isolated in distribution. It varies between unreactive to stubborn in tests, but shears cleanly when it goes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2012 4:00PM