Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2018 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

New snow and wind are coming. Windslabs will likely be forming all day Thursday. Weak mid-pack layers are still worrisome.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snow and wind are expected again Thursday. A little warming with the snow and then a return to cooler temperatures. Snowfall amounts are expected to be in the 10cm range. Maybe 15cm by Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Suncrust can occasionally be found on S and W aspects. 30-50cm of snow sits over the Dec.15 persistent weak layer of facets and surface hoar. The overlying slab propagation is extremely variable across the region with stability of the snow being specific to each slope. Overall the snowpack is still well facetted

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on Tuesday was mostly underwhelming with larger avalanches noted on Mt. Dennis in Yoho. No new avalanches were reported today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This layer continues to be the cause of much uncertainty with forecasters - we think its bad, but yet it has not yet produced many large avalanches. We remain uneasy about it despite indications of generally good conditions.

Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

New snow and accompanying winds usually create windslabs near ridge crests on lee slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2018 4:00PM