Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2013 4:00PM

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

chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Windslabs from this week's storm are predominantly found in the alpine, W of the divide. Good skiing can be found in protected tree-line and below tree-line features.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The region should see increasing cloudiness with trace amounts of snow tomorrow, along with gusty W/NW winds. Temperatures should cool slightly. Sunday night and Monday may bring 15-20cm of snow and moderate/strong NW winds.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm this week along and W of the divide, with lesser amounts to the E. Soft wind slabs are sitting on previous hard wind slabs in the alpine. Mainly facetted midpack in thin snowpack areas. Jan 6 surface hoar can be found in various locations down approx.30 cm. This layer may wake up with Monday's storm if we get more than 25cm of snow.

Avalanche Summary

Solar point releases from steep south-facing slopes in the alpine. Isolated thin soft slabs noted from NE facing convexities in Kootenay near tree-line.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Soft wind slabs up to 40cm thick exist mainly along and W of the divide in exposed terrain. Areas E of the divide have seen light snow and only very thin slab formation. Watch for the bond between these slabs and the hard surfaces below.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Note recent avalanche activity.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 2

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2013 4:00PM