Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 10th, 2013 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Riding most slopes is possible, but steep and shallow wind loaded terrain could still produce a significant avalanche.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The upper ridge will give way to a more zonal westerly flow for the next few days. Fast paced weak storms will bring little precipitation but some overcast skies and moderate to strong gusty westerlies. Temps will cool slightly.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of new snow has buried previous windslabs. Solar effect on very steep southerly aspects. Weak facetted snowpack in areas where snow depth is less than 1 metre. Jan 06 surface hoar facet layer down 30-50 still producing hard planar shears.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported recently.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs from recent strong winds persist. In some areas these slabs are now covered by a light layer snow and may not be as obvious to detect Areas of the most concern are steep lee slopes near ridge tops and some steep open slopes at treeline.

The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 11th, 2013 4:00PM