Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2019 4:00PM

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

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Forecasters still have some uncertainty as to how prevalent wind slabs are as a problem due to limited observations.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Lows in the -20's Thursday AM and highs around -15C. Some clouds will roll in for the afternoon and a trace amount of snow along the divide. 3000m winds will increase to Moderate from the N/NW but will remain light at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Wide spread wind effect above treeline has created wind slab on NE to SE aspects. Below treeline,30 to 50cm of snow sits over the Jan.17 surface hoar which causes the odd settlement but little activity so far. In shallow areas weak facets and depth hoar exist below the Dec 10 interface. In deeper snow packs this basal weakness is less pronounced.

Avalanche Summary

Some small, loose dry activity out of cliffed areas. Sunshine village reported numerous size 2's with explosives and smaller wind slabs with ski cutting.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

This problem is not widespread but we are still seeing activity today in the Sunshine region, and reports from Highway 93S. Forecasters have limited observations from alpine areas.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2019 4:00PM