Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
The hazard will gradually increase on Tuesday with new snow, wind and warmer temperatures. How much the hazard rises will depend on snow amounts and intensity of winds.
Weather Forecast
10-20 cm of new snow is expected by end of day on Tuesday. The snow will be accompanied by mod to strong SW winds. Freezing levels expected to rise to approx 2000 m on Tuesday and then dropping again on Wednesday
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of new snow lays over previous surfaces that include wind pressed snow, facetted surfaces, and sun crusts. The Feb 15 sun crust/hard slab interface is down 30-50 cm. The Jan 30th surface hoar/sun crust layer is down 40-70 cm and variable in distribution and reactivity, producing moderate sudden planar to no results in snowpack tests.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches observed or reported on Monday.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and mod-strong SW winds will build new wind slabs on Tuesday. These will become easier to trigger as snow amounts increase and are forming over a variety of surfaces including old wind effect, sun crusts and facets. Some sluffing may occur.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2