Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 10 – 11, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avalanche control planned for Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. Please no skiing/climbing on Mt. Bourgeau, Mt. Whymper, Mt. Stephen and Mt. Dennis on Thursday.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    30-50 cm at treeline in past 24 hours and up to 80 cm in past 72 hours. Moderate SW winds producing storm slabs that are sitting on a weak facet layer. Widespread natural cycle in storm snow observed on Wednesday.

Weather Forecast

Another 5-10 cm forecasted for Wednesday night. Precipitation expected to ease off by noon on Thursday with a cooling trend for Thursday afternoon. Clear and cool temperatures forecast for Friday and the weekend

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm new snow in past 24 hrs at treeline and up to 80 cm in past 72 hours. Mod SW winds  producing storm slabs that are sitting on a weak facet layer. Widespread natural cycle in storm snow observed today

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural avalanches up to Class 3 running to top of run-out zones observed today. Explosive control on Sunshine Road produced one Class 3 avalanche that buried road 80 cm deep by 15 metres wide

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Regions covered