Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 31 – Feb 1, 2012Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

We will be conducting avalanche control on Mt. Bourgeau (Banff) and Mt. Whymper (Kootenay) on Tuesday, January 31st. Please, no outdoor activities in these areas tomorrow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Recent winds and snow have created windslabs up to a meter thick on lee slopes on N- E aspects. These sit on previous windslabs and facetted snow, and are especially touchy in wind effected areas in the alpine.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–4
    The basal facets are more of a concern in thinner snowpack areas east of the divide, and in Kootenay park. Confidence in bigger alpine terrain is still low because of the high winds that have scoured the alpine this year, creating many thin spots.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    10-40 cm of snow has fallen in the last 48h, with the most snow West of the divide. This snow came in warm and is bonding well, but is more reactive in wind effected areas in the alpine and thin areas such as open glades below tree line in Kootenay

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Regions covered