Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 9 – 10, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Small amounts of new snow are slowly accumulating adding load to the Dec 15th layer. Forecasters are uncertain as to exactly when the scales will tip in the direction of increased avalanche hazard. Likely, we will see an increase Weds.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent snow is being moved around by the SW winds and forming thin wind slabs in immediate lee areas. These slabs can fail on the either the weak facets or the Dec 15 layer, and have been triggered by climbers and skiers in the last few days.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Loose dry surface snow avalanches will continue to be a problem in steep rocky areas and gullies until the facets round out and begin to bond better. Additionally, we have small amounts of new low density snow adding to the problem.

Weather Forecast

The forecast calls for up to 20cm of new snow by the end of Wednesday. Temperatures are also expected to drop into the -15 range by Thursday, with cloudy skies throughout. Wind is expected to increase in to the moderate range throughout Tuesday from the SW.

Snowpack Summary

30-50cm of snow sits over the Dec 15 layer of surface hoar or sun crust, and is developing soft slab properties with the warmer temps wind and approx 10cm of new snow. Below this the snowpack is heavily faceted with remnants of older crust's still lingering throughout. Concern remains in steep faceted gully's where loose dry avalanches can occur.

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise ski area reported that patrollers could ski cut size 1 loose dry avalanches in very steep and confined terrain. Otherwise nothing observed or reported.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

Regions covered