Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 18 – 19, 2018Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

New snow and wind are coming. Windslabs will likely be forming all day Thursday. Weak mid-pack layers are still worrisome.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New snow and accompanying winds usually create windslabs near ridge crests on lee slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    This layer continues to be the cause of much uncertainty with forecasters - we think its bad, but yet it has not yet produced many large avalanches. We remain uneasy about it despite indications of generally good conditions.

Weather Forecast

Snow and wind are expected again Thursday. A little warming with the snow and then a return to cooler temperatures. Snowfall amounts are expected to be in the 10cm range. Maybe 15cm by Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Suncrust can occasionally be found on S and W aspects. 30-50cm of snow sits over the Dec.15 persistent weak layer of facets and surface hoar. The overlying slab propagation is extremely variable across the region with stability of the snow being specific to each slope. Overall the snowpack is still well facetted

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on Tuesday was mostly underwhelming with larger avalanches noted on Mt. Dennis in Yoho. No new avalanches were reported today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered