Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 16 – 17, 2018Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Deep lingering instabilities continue in the area. Despite the strong post-storm feel to the upper snowpack, the threat of large, catastrophic avalanches limits travelers to safer, non-avalanche terrain. Please continue to play safe.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Strong winds last Tuesday night created widespread wind effect in most areas above treeline. Hard wind slabs exist in the alpine lees.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3.5
    A 100-125cm dense slab of January storm snow overlies three weak layers in the mid snowpack: Jan 16, Jan 6, and Dec 15. All are a mix of sun crust, surface hoar and facets depending on the aspect and elevation. These layers could easily be triggered.

Weather Forecast

Light snow is expected Friday with more wind and cold temperatures. This is unlikely to significantly change the avalanche danger rating in the short term.

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs are common in open areas with loading on easterly aspects. Commonly, a deep slab overlies midpack weaknesses of surface hoar, crusts, and facets.  The depth of these slabs varies from 75 cm to 150 cm. These layers have been producing very large avalanches over the past week.

Avalanche Summary

Several new avalanches were noted today on the Icefields Parkway associated with recent winds.

Confidence

Regions covered