Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 9 – 10, 2015Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Very warm temperatures have weakened the snowpack and turned it isothermal in many locations. Avalanche terrain should be avoided until cooler temperatures return.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Fifty to 90 cm of storm snow exist on the January 30th crust interface. A poor bond exists at this interface and large avalanches have been observed running on this layer.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–4
    Isothermal conditions exist at treeline and below. Many loose wet avalanches that have gouged down to ground have been observed below 1800 metres.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–4
    The base of the snowpack remains weak due to basal depth hoar/facets. Additional snow load, or a storm slab failure may trigger large to very large avalanches in thin snowpack areas.

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with scattered flurries forecast for Monday. Freezing levels to valley floor on Sunday night and then rising to 2000 m on Monday. Winds are light from the south-west turning to moderate west late in the day on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

45 - 70 cm of recent storm overlies a crust from January 30th. The recent heavy precipitation, wind and warmer temperatures have created storm slabs which will put an enormous amount of stress on the January 30th crust interface. Isothermal conditions exist at treeline and below.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control today in Yoho Park and Koorenay Park produced numerous avalanches up to size 3. Many of the avalanches started dry and turned wet at lower elevations. Also, evidence of a widespread cycle up to size 3.5 throughout the forecast region. Some avalanches running close to full path.

Confidence

Regions covered