Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2016 6:46PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.

Conrad Janzen, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The temperature inversion starts to break down Sunday but ice climbers in particular should expect loose wet avalanches to occur in steep rocky South facing terrain. Check our weather stations for current temperatures.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The ridge of high pressure will start to break down later on Sunday but you can still expect lots of sunshine.Â Winds will begin to increase out of the South. The strong inversion continues into Sunday before breaking down. Check our weather stations for current treeline and alpine temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

A well settled snowpack with few weaknesses exists throughout the region. There is moist surface snow/sun crust on steep solar aspects. Isolated wind slabs exist on leeward slopes in the alpine. Below 2000m, the Dec 3 layer of surface hoar and facets remains visible down 35-70 cm but is currently dormant. Thin areas are faceting out and weakening.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet snow avalanches up to size 2 have been observed on steep rocky terrain with the sun affect and warm alpine temperatures. Several recent small cornice failures have also been observed.Â

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Loose Wet

The sun is triggering moist snow sluffs that entrain the dry facets or moist surface snow below. Ice climbers and skiers should expect loose wet snow avalanches to size 2 out of steep rocky South facing terrain.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs exist in alpine areas. We have not had any recent reports but several natural and skier triggered avalanches (up to size 1.5) have occurred in the past week.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2016 4:00PM