Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2016 4:00PM

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

Grant Statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Although the danger ratings are LOW, we are close to making them MODERATE because it's likely that people will trigger sluffs in steep terrain at treeline and below. While not big avalanches, they can wash over you. Manage your exposure carefully.

Summary

Weather Forecast

No significant snowfall expected over the next 24-hours, just trace amounts of new snow, temperatures ranging from -5 to -15, and moderate (40+ km/hr) westerly winds at higher elevations. This pattern looks to remain mostly unchanging over the next few days.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5 cm overnight brings the total storm snow over the last week to 15 cm. This fluff has been blown into isolated windslabs near high alpine ridge crests. Meanwhile, the overall snowpack continues to become weaker from the facetting process, and in some areas you can now break through to the ground in weak snow.

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise ski hill reported small windslabs from 20-40 cm deep formed overnight, and our field team today triggered sluffs in steep (40+ degree) south facing glades. Do not underestimate the power of the sluffs that are running these days; they are made of dense facets, and what might seem like a small volume can easily knock you off your feet.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

New snow and surface facets will sluff easily in steep terrain (40+ degrees). These sluffs may have high consequence for skiers or climbers in large or confined terrain. Manage your exposure closely in order to control your risk.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs near ridge crests have been formed by west winds. These are small in nature but may be sitting over facets or sun crust which can run further than expected.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2016 4:00PM