Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Watch for an increase in the hazard on Sunday as the expected new snow adds load to the weak layers in the snowpack.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Continued Moderate SW winds at ridgetop elevation Saturday under mainly sunny skies. Moisture reaches the divide late in the afternoon Saturday bringing up to 20cm of snow on Sunday with the temperatures rising to near 0 in the valley bottoms and winds increasing around mid day. The precip should fade Sunday night with only a trace expected Monday.

Snowpack Summary

A trace of new snow on facets, isolated surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep South slopes. The snowpack is generally weak and facetted throughout. The Dec 18 interface is evident down 20-40 cm and is still a concern in deeper snowpack areas, but in shallower areas is facetting out. Some hard wind slabs exist in immediate lees of alpine terrain.

Avalanche Summary

No natural avalanche activity observed in past 72 hrs.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

In shallower snowpack areas this layer is facetting out. In deeper areas this layer remains more of a concern.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

In shallower snowpack areas (most of the region) the weak base of the snowpack persists and could be triggered in steep, rocky terrain features. This problem will persist for some time, give it careful consideration before entering serious terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 17th, 2015 4:00PM