Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–3
Recent wind loading have created new wind slabs, predominantly in the alpine. They will certainly be reactive to riders and climbers.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapBanff Yoho Kootenay
Jan 17 – 18, 2013Parks Canada
Archived · expired 14 years ago
Avalanche danger
Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Highlights
Although we are now in a period of moderate avalanche danger, pay attention to what the wind is doing. With strong winds, slabs can build up quickly and overload the weak surface hoar/facets. Dig into the snow before committing to a slope.
Avalanche problems
Persistent Slabs
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2–3
Beware of open areas at tree-line. Surface hoar is well preserved in sporadic locations. See picture from our Vermillion study plot.
Weather Forecast
Strong W winds and above-normal temp's are the main factors for the next couple of days. Expect the winds in the alpine to be strong, redistributing any loose snow leftover from the last couple of days of wind.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 50cm of snow sit over the Jan 6th interface. In several locations in Kootenay and some areas near Sunshine, the Jan 6 interface is a well preserved surface hoar (3 to 5mm in size). Tests show easy sudden planar shears. It's worth digging down to it in a few locations to check if it's present. Alpine features have been blasted by recent wind.
Avalanche Summary
During the wind event over the past few days, several size 1.5 - 2 avalanches were noted in the alpine. One skier triggered a size 1.5 avalanche near sunshine in an open wind affected lee feature below treeline. May see continued sporadic small avalanches tomorrow with strong winds forecasted, although most of the snow has been moved already.