Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, 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.

Be suspect of small, new wind slabs at upper elevations from previous strong winds. The loose facets will continue to be a problem in confined features and terrain traps if initiated. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will cool slightly for the next few days with little in the way of snow and NW winds staying mainly light. The next system with snow looks to be Saturday .

Snowpack Summary

In general there is 10-15 cm over the Jan 6 combination of surface hoar, facets and sun crust depending on aspect and elevation. Moderate to strong winds have formed small wind slabs in the alpine and can be found on most aspects. The snowpack is facetting but still supportive in this region where over a meter.

Avalanche Summary

2 separate avalanches were reported yesterday and today in the Healy paths near ridge crests. These were both 1-1.5 on South aspects over sun crust. This is similar to other reports over the last few days. As well, facet avalanches in extreme terrain are running far when initiated at all elevations.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

New snow and surface facets will sluff easily in very steep terrain. Skiers remember to manage the sluffs, and ice climbers watch you don't get knocked off your feet. Below treeline facet sluffs will be most prevalent in steep areas such as Kootenay.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

New snow with mod-strong west winds have produced small, soft windslabs in the alpine. Typically they dissipate once significantly below ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2016 4:00PM