Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 16 – 17, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Alpine lee areas are becoming loaded from recent strong wind. A small avalanche cycle has subsequently ensued. See photo of preserved surface hoar (Jan 6 layer).  en francais

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Recent wind loading have created new wind slabs, predominantly in the alpine. They will certainly be reactive to riders and climbers.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Beware of open areas at tree-line. Surface hoar is well preserved in sporadic locations. See picture from our Vermillion study plot.

Weather Forecast

Warm temps and strong winds from the NW will increase the danger rating to considerable tomorrow. The winds will subside and then pick up again on Thursday. However, at this time much of the snow will have already been transported.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50cm of snow sit over the Jan 6th interface. Today, in Kootenay, the Jan 6 interface was well preserved surface hoar between 3 to 5mm in size. Snowpack tests provided easy shears. The slab characteristics were 'sudden planar', or rather, the column popped out like a cash register drawer. No other significant shears were noted.

Avalanche Summary

Several avalanches were observed in the alpine from recent wind loading from the NW. These observations included Mt. Hector, Observation Peak as well as other locations. The avalanches were between size 1.5 and 2.

Confidence

Regions covered