Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2012 4:00PM

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

Chris Gooliaff, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Another warm, wet system is pushing into the Rockies and we may receive up to 20cm in the alpine overnight, accompanied by strong west winds. This will likely result in a natural avalanche cycle in the alpine and open tree-line features on Thursday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs up to 1m deep can be triggered by a person in avalanche terrain. Pay attention to the hardness of the slab; the greater the hardness, the greater the propagation potential. This means large avalanches are possible if you trigger something.

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 and ridge crests.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2012 4:00PM