Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 22 – 23, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

If the weather forecast comes to fruition on Friday, expect an increase in hazard through the weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New wind slabs will be forming with forecast snow Friday afternoon, watch locally for building sensitivity to triggering.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Cornices triggered facet avalanches on Wednesday, see avalanche discussion

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Steeper slopes and gullies in the alpine will slough easily with any new snow load and wind over the already present facets.  Ice climbers should monitor this closely.

Weather Forecast

A fast moving low pressure system is forecast to give us 15-20cm and strong Westerly alpine winds starting sometime in the afternoon on Friday.  Timing and intensity of this one is hard to predict, but expect worsening weather in the afternoon. The highest amounts are forecast for North and West of Lake Louise (Wapta region)

Snowpack Summary

Thin snowpack areas at all elevations are  weak and facetted, as well as most below treeline areas up to around 1900 meters.  Previous storm snow has settled to approximately 10cm.  This snow sit on top of wind slabs, both soft and hard, in alpine lee areas.

Avalanche Summary

No activity reported today.  Avalanche control on Wednesday produced avalanches up to size 3.  Cornices that were triggered provided enough of a rake to entrain all of the facets in the path, running to within 100m of the road on Mt. Whymper (Kootenay) and Mt. Dennis (Yoho). 

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Regions covered