Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 17th, 2014 5:04PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Summary

Weather Forecast

For Tuesday scattered flurries with accumulations near 10 cm at treeline forecasted for along the Divide. Day time high temperatures of -8 in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow is settling and bonding to itself, however there is still a weak bond at the storm snow interface down 30-50 cm. South west winds in the past 48 hours have started to create touchy wind slabs in lee alpine terrain. These wind slabs are reactive to skier triggering.

Avalanche Summary

Natural and skier triggered avalanches up to size two are being observed at tree-line and alpine elevations throughout the region. A skier remote class 2 was triggered on a SW aspect near tree line in the Emerald Lake vicinity today.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The recent storm snow is settling and bonding to itself. There is still a poor bond at the storm snow interface (facets and surface hoar) down about 30-40 cm.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed touchy slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Continued south west winds have created fresh wind slabs in lee alpine terrain. These wind slabs are reactive to skier triggering.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 18th, 2014 4:00PM