Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2019 5:30PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Friday marks a change in conditions with an incoming storm. Pay attention to new snowfall amounts and what the wind is doing.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snow beginning on Friday with various models forecasting between 10 and 20 cm along the divide by the end of the day. More snow on Saturday (up to 30 cm) and then very cold arctic air settles in for Sunday. Winds forecast to be mod to strong from the SW on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Extensive wind effect in alpine from last weeks strong winds. The mid-pack is increasingly settled (up to P) down to the Dec 10 interface (down 60-130 cm). In shallower snowpack areas weak facets exist below the Dec 10 interface, and stability tests show moderate-hard results within the facets.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

A well settled mid-pack sits over top of a deep persistent facet layer (Dec 10 layer). Stability tests show moderate to hard results within this facet layer.

Avoid thin, rocky or unsupported slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs are expected from forecasted snow and winds on Friday.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2019 4:00PM