Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 10th, 2014 4:00PM

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

conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The avalanche hazard will slowly begin to increase as the snow arrives tonight and more conservative terrain choices will be necessary over the next few days. Enjoy the new snow!

Summary

Weather Forecast

5-10cm of snow is forecast for Monday night and Tuesday with an additional 15-20cm of snow forecast for Wednesday. This will be accompanied by moderate to strong W winds and rising temperatures with freezing levels of about 1500m by Wednesday night.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of facetted surface snow sits over the January 30th surface hoar layers. This facet/surface hoar combination will be one to watch as we begin to get more snow. Variable wind effect in the alpine with sun crust on steep solar aspects. The basal facet/depth hoar problem persists but is well bridged in deeper snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported today.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The deep persistent weakness has been dormant for several weeks. With warming temperatures and increasing snow load may we may begin seeing some avalanches on this layer by Wednesday.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Any new snow or wind slabs will be sitting on a mix of facets, surface hoar and sun crust. This has potential to create a good sliding layer. Watch for sluffing in steep terrain starting Tuesday, and deeper storm slabs failures by Wednesday.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 11th, 2014 4:00PM