Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 16 – 17, 2019Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The polar push is back. Expect light snow accumulations and variable winds to affect conditions through the weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Variable winds through the weekend are expected to move alpine snow around. Although slab formation will likely be slow with cold dry snow, the bond to the dry, faceted surface snow will be weak.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1
    A sustained period of cold weather has driven the faceting process in the upper snowpack creating weak, dry surface snow. In steep terrain, these are sensitive to small natural and human triggers and can quickly gain enough mass to affect travelers.

Weather Forecast

After a brief taste of a westerly flow and mild temperatures, the arctic air is pushing back again late Friday. With this push, temperatures will drop, winds will shift to northerly and light accumulations of cold snow are expected Saturday. Watch for temperatures to drop further into Sunday as skies start to clear. 

Snowpack Summary

30 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Feb 2. This has been affected by variable winds, isolated periods of intense solar radiation and most notably, sustained cold temperatures promoting faceting. Down 30 to 75cm, Jan 17 surface hoar produces sudden planar shears in isolated locations treeline an below. A weak basal snowpack exists in shallow areas

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered