Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 10th, 2016 4:29PM

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.

Ian Jackson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Finally, a storm is on the horizon! Although precipitation amounts look to be minimal, increasing winds will raise the danger on Tues and Wed. Enjoy the "Green Brick" while it lasts!

Summary

Weather Forecast

A system is moving in and Monday will see clear skies with alpine winds increasing to moderate from the W/NW. Tuesday through Thursday we should see some light precipitation with moderate W winds and temperatures in the -5 to -15 range.Check our weather stations for current conditions.

Snowpack Summary

3-10cm of low density snow sits over the Jan 6 interface of surface hoar, facets and sun crust (buried on steep S aspects). Thin, Isolated wind slabs exist in the alpine near ridge crests. Below 2000m the Dec 3 layer of surface hoar and facets remains visible down 20-50 cm but is currently dormant. Thin areas are faceting out and weakening.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose dry sluffs can be triggered in steep terrain due to the combination of recent snow and weak, faceted surface layers . These can run far and easily gain enough mass to affect a climber, skier or boarder especially in confined features.

On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs were created Thursday as NE winds carrying some snow pushed in from the prairies. More of a problem in eastern areas. These are mainly small and local to ridge crests however they may entrain faceted snow and run far.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 11th, 2016 4:00PM