Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 14th, 2014–Jan 15th, 2014

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Expect slopes that have not previously avalanched to be highly suspect. However, natural activity is starting to subside. The forecast region is looking at a considerable hazard rating for the foreseeable future.

Weather Forecast

There is a clearing trend developing. Between Wednesday and Friday expect sunny periods, very little precip and temps just under zero degrees. However, the deep persistent slab problem will still linger even though there will be limited inputs into the snowpack over the coming days.

Snowpack Summary

Basal weaknesses have been overloaded with accumulations of new snow (90cm+) and massive wind-loading. This new snow load has started a major avalanche cycle that has only started to taper off as of today.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control produce large avalanches up to size 3.5 in areas that had not been previously controlled this season. Some had enough force to break mature timber. Additionally there was a skier accidental size 2 in west bowl that caught a party of 3, one fully buried however no injuries. The evidence of a large cycle is present, even BTL.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Expect to see less natural activity concerning this layer, however, it is still ripe for human triggering. If triggered, expect large and destructive avalanches with fracture lines up to 200cm deep.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Storm Slabs

Unlike the deep persistent slab problem, the storm slabs will eventually start to bond to underlying surfaces over the coming days.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3