Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 1st, 2018 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

While conditions are improving, watch for wind slabs in alpine lee areas. Avoid steep and confined terrain features due to the possibility of loose dry avalanches.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The cold snap is coming to an end. Temperatures are starting to warm, with freezing levels by mid week forecasted to reach 1800m. Winds are not expected to be as strong as originally forecasted.

Snowpack Summary

15-40cm of recent snow overlies a thick layer of facets formed earlier in Dec. Below this the Dec.15 layer of surface hoar (below 2100m) and hard surfaces or facets (depending on location) is down 30-50cm. Below is a generally supportive snow pack with multiple crusts, that is slowly weakening. Some alpine wind slab formation starting to happen.

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanche's continue to be the main type of activity in the forecast region, ranging in size1-1.5 with a few to size 2. Most observations reported initiation from extreme terrain, running far into the tracks. These avalanches are easy to initiate in steep terrain and can be very hazardous in confined spaces like gullies or terrain traps.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Tuesday

Problems

Loose Dry

The cold temperatures have facetted the surface snow, and once initiated sluffs can pick up mass and travel far. Big sluffs are possible if you are climbing in gullies with steep terrain above, or skiing steep lines.

On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Because of surface faceting they have the potential to run far. LLSA area report very small and thin windslabs that are variable in distribution on Jan 1, 2018.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 2nd, 2018 4:00PM