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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 13th, 2013–Feb 14th, 2013
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Winds still seem to be honking in the high alpine. With up to 30cm of new snow west of the Divide, the new windslabs in the alpine will be touchy to human-triggering.

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure should bring mainly clear skies for the morning, with increasing clouds later in the day. Winds will drop to light from the west. No new snow is forecasted for the region until possibly Friday evening. Temp's will be near seasonal values in the alpine (-10*C).

Snowpack Summary

Strong westerly winds in the last 12 hours have formed fresh windslabs in alpine lee terrain. We received 10-15cm up the Icefields Parkway, but closer to 25-30cm west of the Divide in Little Yoho Valley. Where shallow the mid-pack is weak and facetted. West of the divide the mid-pack remains strong due to a deeper snowpack. 

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1.5 loose avalanches were observed from steeper alpine features in the Little Yoho Valley. No recent avalanches observed up the Icefields Parkway, but large plumes of wind-transported snow observed off ridge crests.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong W winds accompanied 10-30cm of new snow. This has created new windslabs in alpine and open tree-line lee features. Expect these slabs to be touchy for the next day or two.
Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2