Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 14 – 15, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

The natural avalanche cycle is expected to taper off but the new slab formed by storm snow over the basal facets will likely continue to create large avalanches for some time. Avoid all avalanche terrain for the next while until things settle down!

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    The storm slab is 40-50cm thick in many places and if triggered, it is likely to step down into the basal facets resulting in very large avalanches. Avoid all avalanche terrain until this cycle subsides.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    The possibility of natural and skier triggered avalanches remains high. Stay out of avalanche terrain until things settle down. Look for protected skiing in the trees on moderate angled slopes with no exposure to alpine and tree line start zones.

Weather Forecast

Moderate to strong W winds with strong gusts are expected to continue for the next 2 days with cloudy skies. The precipitation has ended. Alpine temperatures will be around -7C with overnight lows of -10. Winds will abate by Thursday and skies will become a mix of sun and cloud.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 80 cm of storm snow has fallen over the last few days, combined with very strong winds. Deep storm slabs have formed from new snow and wind loading; in excess of 120 cm in leeward areas. These slabs are overloading a weak, facetted snowpack. The precipitation has ended, but strong gusty West winds are expected to continue for the next 2 days.

Avalanche Summary

Large avalanches to size 3 continue to occur with some running full path. A size 2 in White Rabbit (near Louise ski area) released to ground, causing several sympathetic size 1's. Numerous human triggered avalanches were reported adjacent to ski areas including Ptarmigan Chutes today and Maintenance Cliffs and a close call on Wawa Ridge yesterday.

Confidence

Regions covered