Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 10th, 2016 4:16PM

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

grant statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Natural and human triggered avalanches continue to occur as a result of the warm temperatures and weak snowpack. Cascade Waterfall ran full path today; ice climbers choose your route carefully and avoid exposure to avalanche paths until it cools.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Another clear day ahead, with slightly cooler temperatures in alpine areas (-5ish) and light winds. The freezing level will rise to 1700m again on Thursday afternoon, and combined with any direct sunshine this will be bad for the snowpack. The pattern changes again for Friday when we can expect cooling temperatures and 5-10 cm of new snow.

Snowpack Summary

A 50-100 cm slab now overlies the January 6 weak layer of surface hoar, facets and sun crust and snowpack tests indicate an unstable bond between the two. Below this the snowpack is facetted and quite weak. Warm temperatures over the past 48 hours has triggered an avalanche cycle and left the surface snow effected by sun, temperature & wind crusts.

Avalanche Summary

The avalanche cycle triggered by warm temperatures continued today with a near burial on Twin Cairns near Sunshine Village, and Cascade Waterfall ran full path in the afternoon. Large avalanches have been observed, such as this size 3 slab above the Sunshine Village road triggered by explosives on Tuesday.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Large avalanches are occurring daily right now. Best to avoid most avalanche start zones unless there is evidence of previous avalanches having occurred. Conditions are dangerous so be careful in your route selection.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

With freezing levels rising to 1700m tomorrow the possibility of loose wet avalanches still exists. These will occur on steep south facing rocky terrain.

Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 11th, 2016 4:00PM