Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 13 – 14, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Cold temperatures continue to weaken the upper snowpack. Surface sluffing and small pockets of wind slab are the main concern in the region.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5
    Old wind effect and isolated pockets of newly formed wind slab can be found in the alpine. Expect to find this problem most prevalent in immediate lee features off ridge crest.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5
    Consistent cold temperatures have faceted the upper snowpack. In steep alpine features loose surface snow can easily entrain mass causing small avalanches. Thin steep rocky terrain is the prime candidate for this problem.

Weather Forecast

More tolerable temperatures are forecasted for the remainder of the week with day time highs into the negative single digits.  Minimal inputs of snow and wind for Wednesday and Thursday but as the weekend approaches a small system will move in bringing snow values of 5-10cm.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine areas are a mix of wind blasted and/or soft (faceted) surface snow depending on location - sheltered areas have 40 cm ski penetration. The Jan 17 surface hoar/crust interface can be found below 2200 m down 40-60 cm, producing moderate tests results. The lower snowpack consist of a strong mid-pack sitting over a weak faceted basel structure.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Regions covered