Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2015 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=19299&oPark=100092 Triggering large avalanches is still likely in many areas. Stay out of avalanche terrain. Ice climbers should be wary of warm temperatures when in gullied features.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Continued warm temperatures and overcast skies will maintain the hazard into the weekend. Cooler temperatures and light snow are forecast through Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

60 to 100 cm of stiff new snow slab and windslabs, in the alpine and at treeline, overlies an old weak snowpack that is a mixture of facets, crusts and depth hoar. Propagation of weak layers can be very wide. Below treeline, poor overnight recovery and a recent warm spell, create poor snow cohesion.

Avalanche Summary

A size 3 natural avalanche and a skier accidental 2.5 avalanche today indicate the need for continued caution.

Confidence

Problems

Storm Slabs

50 to 90 cm of storm snow exist on the January 30th interface which is a crust below 2000m and facets above. A poor bond exists at this interface and large avalanches have been observed running on this layer. Wide propagations are still possible.

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recent winds have created wind slabs in the lee of alpine features.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wet Slabs

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2015 4:00PM