Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2015 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada snow safety, Parks Canada

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Banff Yoho Kootenay.

New snow has improved alpine ski conditions. Skiing at treeline and below remains "challenging" due to the breakable crust.SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light gusting moderate alpine Westerly winds on Sunday with a few cm of snow starting in the afternoon.  Alpine temperatures will stay in the -10C range over the next 3 days.  Monday and Tuesday look unsettled with 10-20cm in the forecast by Tuesday night.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Snowpack Summary

5-15cm low density snow in the last 24hours. Isolated soft slabs 15-30cm thick and of little consequence found in alpine regions today(Cirque Peak, Bow Peak ).The Jan.30 crust formed last week can be found up to 2300m(higher on solar aspects). Basal depth hoar is still a major layer in the region, and is giving moderate to hard compression results.

Avalanche Summary

Some minor sloughing of the new snow out of cliffed terrain, triggered by sun. No new avalanches observed.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
Despite the low danger ratings, the base of the snowpack remains weak due to basal depth hoar/facets. Consider this layer carefully when looking to travel in aggressive terrain, especially in thin, rocky areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 2

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2015 4:00PM

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