Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2016 5:06PM

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.

tim haggarty, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Recent and expected snow flurries are slowly adding up and giving the west winds something to move around in the alpine.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Some clearing Friday night should allow a drop in alpine temperatures to -20C values.Â A warm front is expected to arrive late in the day Saturday bringing a return warmer temperatures and some light snow through the weekend with light to moderate winds out of the SW.

Snowpack Summary

There is now10-15 cm over the Jan 6 combination of surface hoar, facets and sun crust depending on aspect and elevation. Small wind slabs should be expected along high alpine ridgecrests resulting mainly from West winds. The snowpack is facetting. Upper layers are very weak however the snowpack remains supportive in deeper areas (> 1m snowpack)

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry events to size 1.5 in steep terrain require only a very light trigger as the weak facetted surface layers sluff. These can run a surprising distance. There have been a few small windslabs reported in recent days out of alpine ridgecrests. Expect even the smallest windslab to push a significant sluff if it hits aÂ steep slope below it.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

New snow and surface facets will sluff easily in very steep terrain as a result of small human or natural triggers. These sluffs can run until the slope angle decreases and may have high consequence for skiers or climbers in large or confined terrain

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: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

West winds are forming small, thin slabs next to high alpine ridge crests. Although small in size, triggering one of these slabs may result in a significant avalanche if it pushes a sluff in a steep slope beneath it.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2016 4:00PM