Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 4 – 5, 2012Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

< 5cm of new snow is expected tonight; this will have little effect on the danger rating. A 2nd pulse in the storm track may produce up to 20cm at higher elevation on Thurs with mod to strong wind. Watch for loading and fresh wind-slabs.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs up to 1m deep are triggerable by climbers and riders in avalanche terrain. One thing to observe is the hardness of the slab; the greater the hardness, the greater the propagation potential. In sum, this means large avalanches are possible.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    The basal facets/depth hoar are becoming less reactive in field tests, but If a wind slab is initiated, it may have enough volume to step down to create larger avalanches. Other trigger points will be thin, cross-loaded features.

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered