Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 10th, 2013 4:53PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A building ridge will bring cool dry air in a NW flow to the area through Friday and Saturday. Little in the way of new snow is expected.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 80 cm recent storm snow and mod SW winds created storm slabs that are sitting on a weak layer of facetted crystals and in some areas surface hoar. In deep snow pack areas the mid pack remains strong.

Avalanche Summary

The wide spread natural cycle that happened on Wednesday is over, however storm slabs are still reactive to skier and explosive triggering. Bombing on highway paths on Thursday resulted in half the bombs producing avalanches in the storm snow with average size Class 2

Confidence

Problems

Storm Slabs

Up to 80 cm at treeline of recent storm snow and moderate SW winds have created storm slabs on a weak facet layer. The natural cycle is over but we still expect these slabs to be reactive to skier triggering.

Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 11th, 2013 4:00PM