Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2012 4:00PM

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

Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

There are still isolated reports of settlements in thinner snowpack areas at higher elevations. It is still early winter, so although the chance of triggering a big avalanche has decreased, confidence is still not high in the big terrain. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Previous wind slabs up to 30cm thick are still triggerable in steep, open terrain. 10-15cm expected this Saturday with light to moderate W winds will do little to change the overall hazard besides sloughing in steep terrain and near ridgetops.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

A well settled midpack overrides a weaker facetted base. This weak base is found most places except the west side of the divide. Beware of steep shallow snowpack areas (where the likelihood of triggering this basal layer is highest).

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2012 4:00PM