Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2012 4:00PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Cool temperatures will persist until Friday, but the weekend should bring more seasonable weather. Some light snowfall will begin on Friday and into the weekend. The avalanche hazard is not expected to change much over the next few days.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong valley bottom winds from the east and moderate south westerly winds in the alpine have created soft slabs in immediate lee terrain. Cool temps should break these slabs down, but for the short term be wary of lee terrain in open areas.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

A well settled midpack overrides a weaker facetted base. This weak base is found most places except the west side of the divide. Beware of steep shallow snowpack areas (where the likelihood of triggering this basal layer is highest).

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2012 4:00PM