Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2014 4:00PM

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

Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Travel conditions are excellent and good skiing can be found on sheltered North aspects. While we have moved to Low hazard at all elevations...remember that it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated locations! CJ

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light North winds, a mix of sun cloud with no significant precipitation, and continued cold temperatures of -25'C with highs of -15'C are forecast for the next few days.Â Dress warm!

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of recent snow sits on the January 30th surface hoar below treeline. In the alpine this recent snow is over a firm wind slab or a thick sun crust on S & W aspects. The snowpack has gained strength over the past few weeks, and snowpack tests are now producing hard results 20 cm above the ground in the facetted base layer.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

A lack of avalanche activity and hard test results show that triggering the weakness at the base of the snowpack is unlikely, however the variability in snowpack depth means it is worth watching for thin areas where triggering may still be possible.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

The recent snow has created thin wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline which could be a problem in steep confined terrain such as gullys and couloirs.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2014 4:00PM