Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2016 5:24PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Thursday saw the development of some small wind slabs, and increased sluffing in steep terrain with the new snow and NE winds. These problems should stabilize quickly but use caution at higher elevations on Friday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Clearing and cooling trend for Friday as Arctic air pushes down from the north. Day time highs in the alpine in the mid-teens.Check our weather stations for current conditions.

Snowpack Summary

A few cm of new snow sits over the Jan 6 surface hoar and facets. Wind slabs exist in the alpine. Buried sun crusts exist on steep S/SW aspects. Below 2000m, the Dec 3 layer of surface hoar and facets remains visible down 20-50 cm but is currently dormant. Thin areas are faceting out and weakening.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of loose dry sluffing up to size 1.5 out of steep terrain Thursday as the arctic air pushed into the Rockies and moved the loose snow around in the alpine. Touchy new wind slabs were reported in immediate alpine lee areas on E - SW aspects, also from the NE winds during the day. These were easily triggered by ski cutting near ridge crests.

Confidence

Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Some small wind slab development occurred on Thursday with the NE winds as the arctic air arrived. These are small and seem confined to immediate alpine lee areas, but could be a problem if they push you into a terrain trap (gully or over a cliff).

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Loose dry sluffs can be triggered in steep terrain due to the combination of recent snow and surface facetting. The sluffs are running far and can easily gain enough mass to affect a climber, skier or boarder.

On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2016 4:00PM