Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2014 5:13PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Watch for rising avalanche hazard on Friday with forecasted new storm snow.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Scattered flurries for Wednesday with seasonal temperatures.Â Significant snow beginning Thursday night through Friday with 10-20 cm forecasted. Winds expected to be westerly in the moderate range. The last few days there has been a temperature inversion with ridge top temperatures significantly warmer then the valley bottoms.

Snowpack Summary

Total snowpack depths across the region range from 100-140 cm, and are comprised of soft surface snow above a weak and facetted snowpack. In many areas at treeline and above, recent winds have created thin windslabs. Foot penetration is to ground in most places, again demonstrating the weakness of the snowpack. This situation will not change soon.

Avalanche Summary

The widespread natural avalanche activity that was reported two days ago has subsided. No natural avalanches have been reported in the past 24 hours, however human triggered avalanches are still possible in many locations.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

A generally weak and faceted snowpack dominates the forecast area. The potential for full depth avalanches exist.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Significant fresh wind slabs exist in exposed terrain. The potential for a small wind slab avalanches stepping down into the facets below is a concern right now.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2014 4:00PM