Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2016 4:00PM

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

Ian Jackson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Good ski conditions can still be found in sheltered areas. Watch for wind slabs in the higher alpine and wind prone areas

Summary

Weather Forecast

Increased cloudiness and minimal snowfall amounts are expected Tues through Thurs. Starting Thursday, we may see ~ 5 cm of new snow, but we'll wait and see if that materializes. Winds will be light from the S/SW. Temperatures shouldn't be inverted and in the -5 to -15 range. Check our weather stations for current conditions.

Snowpack Summary

Overall, the snowpack is well settled with few weaknesses. Sun crusts exist on steep S/SW aspects and large surface hoar is forming below 2000m. Isolated wind slabs exist in the alpine. Below 2000m, the Dec 3 layer of surface hoar and facets remains visible down 20-50 cm but is currently dormant. Thin areas are faceting out and weakening.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs exist in alpine areas. Yesterday, forecasters triggered a small 0.5 windslab at the back of Chickadee Valley near Chimney peak. These should be easy to spot, so heads up in steep wind effected terrain.

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

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2016 4:00PM