Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 17th, 2012 4:00PM

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

Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

4-6cm are forecast West of the divide, and less to the East. Only isolated areas in the alpine have enough of a slab over the Valentines weak layer to be of concern, but where they exist they will be sensitive to triggering. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

The Valentines surface hoar, facets will be buried anywhere from 5 cm - 30cm where drifted in on the immediate lees of ridge crests. These wind slabs will be thicker West of the divide and will have a small additional load this weekend.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

In steep areas mainly West of the divide, watch out for new snow sloughing on surface hoar, facets or suncrust on steep solar aspects. This will increase with additional new snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1

Cornices

Large cornices on lee (mostly easterly) aspects still loom high overhead. Several large cornice collapses have been observed over the past week. The volume of cornice debris would be very detrimental to your day.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 18th, 2012 4:00PM