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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 28th, 2019–Jan 29th, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Conditions are improving and the public appears to be stepping out. Remain watchful and cognizant of thin and faceted snowpack areas. It is this type of place that could still produce an avalanche.

Weather Forecast

After a brief cool-ish period, temperatures are starting to climb back towards zero in the valley bottoms on Tuesday. Some precipitation is in the forecast for Thursday amounting to about 8-10cm. The wind will generally remain in the moderate range from the West.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of snow sits on top of isolated sun-crusts and surface hoar. Possible new soft wind slabs in lee alpine areas. Of greatest concern are the weak facets and depth hoar at the base of the snowpack. In thinner snowpack areas with less than 150 cm of snow, triggering a slab on these facets is more likely.

Avalanche Summary

Some small (size 1.5) thin windslabs were observed on a SE aspect in Kootenay National Park today. Otherwise no new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The weak Oct.26 facets and depth hoar at the base of the snowpack have a significant slab (50-130cm thick) sitting above them. The likelihood of triggering this layer has decreased, but if it does get triggered, the avalanche will be large in size.
Avoid thin, rocky or unsupported slopes.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

New soft wind slabs can likely be located in high elevation lee areas. Forecasters don't expect them to be more than 20cm thick.

Aspects: North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5