Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 9th, 2016 4:00PM

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.

Sluffs triggered by travelers in steep terrain need to be managed carefully. The recent uplsope storm brought a bit of snow and created a few windslabs in some unlikely spots.... see below.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The region will remain under the influence of a ridge for the period. Winds will be light and temperatures will be cold with potential for inversions. No snow is expected. Check our weather stations for current conditions.

Snowpack Summary

3-10cm of low density snow sits over the Jan 6 interface of surface hoar, facets and sun crust (buried on steep S aspects). Thin, Isolated wind slabs exist in the alpine near ridge crests. Below 2000m the Dec 3 layer of surface hoar and facets remains visible down 20-50 cm but is currently dormant. Thin areas are faceting out and weakening.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity has diminished since the new snow fell, after an initial increase in small, skier triggered wind slabs and surface sluffing out of extreme terrain to size 1.5. Neighboring Kananaskis Country reported a size 2 natural wind slab on a West aspect at 2600m failing 40cm deep on the Jan 6 interface, 40m wide and running 600m.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose dry sluffs can be triggered in steep terrain due to the combination of recent snow and weak, faceted surface layers . These can run far and easily gain enough mass to affect a climber, skier or boarder especially in confined features.

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs were created Thursday as NE winds carrying some snow pushed in from the prairies. More of a problem in eastern areas. These are mainly small and local to ridge crests however they may entrain faceted snow and run far.

Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 10th, 2016 4:00PM