Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Strong winds moved a lot of snow around today and has created widespread wind effect in all open areas. It feels like it would be easy to trigger a windslab on a loaded slope, so give leeward areas a lot of room over the next few days.
Weather Forecast
A strong westerly flow is established over BC and AB, delivering warm, moist air across the region combined with strong winds. This pattern is forecast to continue through Wednesday, with another 5-10 cm and strong winds expected. Thursday looks to warm up even further before clearing and cooling on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of new snow combined with strong SW winds transporting snow is creating windslabs down into the treeline. These slabs are sitting on facets, today showed a moderate test results and could be easily skier triggered. The Dec 2 crust/facet interface is down 60-100 cm, and remains a concern below treeline in the Kootenay area.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported on Tuesday, but several avalanches reported by the Lake Louise ski hill on Monday.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong SW wind has been loading lee areas in the alpine and tree line. This, coupled with an additional 10-20 cm of new snow and mild temperatures is creating reactive windslabs in many areas.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The Dec. 2 crust/facets are down 60-100 cm throughout the region. Sporadic activity has occurred mainly in Kootenay, including two explosive triggered avalanches in the Simpson Area on Jan. 10th. Uncertainty remains around this layer.
- Forecasters are operating with alot of uncertainty at this time.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5