Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2012 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

< 5cm of new snow is expected tonight; this will have little effect on the danger rating. A 2nd pulse in the storm track may produce up to 20cm at higher elevation on Thurs with mod to strong wind. Watch for loading and fresh wind-slabs.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs up to 1m deep are triggerable by climbers and riders in avalanche terrain. One thing to observe is the hardness of the slab; the greater the hardness, the greater the propagation potential. In sum, this means large avalanches are possible.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal facets/depth hoar are becoming less reactive in field tests, but If a wind slab is initiated, it may have enough volume to step down to create larger avalanches. Other trigger points will be thin, cross-loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

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