Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2016 4:00PM

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

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Small amounts of snow will hopefully start to cover all those tracks out there! The biggest hazard is triggering a facet avalanche which can have bigger consequences in terrain traps. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Only a trace to a few cm expected into Sunday morning. West winds will spike briefly both tonight (Saturday) and Sunday night but will diminish during the day. On Sunday, valley temperatures will be in the -2 to -5 range and alpine temps will be in the -8 to -10 range.

Snowpack Summary

There is now10-15 cm over the Jan 6 combination of surface hoar, facets and sun crust depending on aspect and elevation. Small wind slabs should be expected along high alpine ridge crests resulting mainly from West winds. The snowpack is facetting. Upper layers are very weak however the snowpack remains supportive in deeper areas (> 1m snowpack)

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry events to size 1.5 in steep terrain require only a very light trigger as the weak facetted surface layers sluff. These can run a surprising distance. There have been a few small wind slabs reported in recent days out of alpine ridge crests but they remain isolated and "sluggish" to move.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

New snow and surface facets will sluff easily in very steep terrain. These sluffs may have high consequence for skiers or climbers in large or confined terrain.

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs near ridge crests have been formed by West winds. These are small in nature but may be sitting over facets or sun crust which can run further than expected.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 17th, 2016 4:00PM