Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 12th, 2013 4:00PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light snow and strong westerly winds are forecasted for Tuesday night. On Wednesday the airmass will cool and the winds will shift to north-west. Little in the way of new snow is forecasted for the end of the week.Â

Snowpack Summary

If forecasted strong westerly winds on Tuesday night arrive, fresh windslabs will be created in alpine lee terrain. Where shallow the mid-pack is weak and facetted. In deeper snow country west of the divide the mid-pack remains strong. Pit at 2200 m in Kootenay Park showed Jan 6 surface hoar down 55 cm and is non reactive with compression tests.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecasted light snowfall and strong westerly winds on Tuesday night will create fresh wind-slabs in lee terrain in the alpine.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 13th, 2013 4:00PM