Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2013 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Warm temps are promoting the failure of cornices throughout the forecast region. Although they have not been triggering avalanches, they can still be problematic if you are parked underneath them. Some chunks are running quite far.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A system is moving towards the forecast region. Between tonight and Tuesday expect light accumulations and moderate wind. By Wednesday the storm will intensify and deliver up to 20mm of precip. Expect a steady rise in the danger ratings over the next few days. The temperatures will range between -9 and -15 at 3000m.

Snowpack Summary

Fresh wind slabs of variable thickness sit on top of a faceted snowpack. Expect a weaker and more faceted snowpack in areas with < 1m of snow. The Jan 6th surface hoar/crust interface is still prevalent in some isolated areas. Today in Kootenay it was found 35cm down. It did not react to skier traffic.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

This winter we have experienced multiple wind slab events. Currently fresh wind slabs are quite touchy, but vary in thickness (20-40cm). In addition to surface wind slabs, older hard wind slabs lurk beneath the surface, but are harder to trigger.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

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