Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 3 – 4, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 15 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Strong solar radiation and warm p.m. temp's will cause instabilities on south aspects, as well as weaken cornices at ridge tops. Inversions (cold valley-bottoms and warm alpine bowls) are expected, so pay attention to how warm it feels as you ascend.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Recent strong SW winds have created windslabs up to a metre thick on lee slopes in the alpine (primarily N- E aspects). Although these slabs are starting to settle out with warm temps, it is still possible for a skier to trigger these slabs.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    The warm alpine temp's forecasted may be the straw that broke the cornice's back. If cornices do drop onto lee slopes, it could be a heavy enough trigger to step down into the basal facets. Several natural cornice avalanches were observed today.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–4
    In many areas east of the divide where the snow is shallower the mid-pack overrides a layer of weak basal facets. Be extra cautious of thin snowpack areas where the chance of triggering this layer is highest.

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Regions covered