Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2012 4:00PM

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

Marc Ledwidge, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

As one of our forecasters said, stability is good but not "yahoo good". It is still only early February and a low danger rating does not preclude the triggering of isolated wind slabs the alpine.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Field observations show wind slabs still exist at higher elevations (above 2800m) on the lee side of alpine ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Cornices

Strong winds from earlier in the month have created large cornices on lee (mostly easterly) aspects. Several large cornice collapses have been observed over the past week. These cornices could be a big enough trigger to trigger a deep slab.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 9th, 2012 4:00PM