Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2019 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

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.

Summary

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

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

Valid until: Jan 29th, 2019 4:00PM